The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Mr. Jean Ping, is following with utmost concern the ongoing developments in Mogadishu, where the Burundian contingent of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has been under intense mortar attacks since 17 February 2009. These attacks have reached today an unprecedented level, resulting in the killing of 11 Burundian soldiers, while 15 others have sustained serious injuries. Last Friday, another Burundian peacekeeper was killed.
The Chairperson of the Commission condemns in the strongest terms these criminal and cowardly attacks, perpetrated by elements bent on undermining the ongoing efforts to promote peace and security in Somalia and whose only aim is to bring about more violence and destruction, in complete disregard of the aspirations of their people and the interest of their country.
The Chairperson of the Commission expresses his deepest sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families and to the Government and people of Burundi. He pays tribute to the Burundian and Ugandan contingents for their dedication, sacrifice and invaluable contribution, including through humanitarian assistance to vulnerable groups, to the promotion of peace, security and stability in Somalia, under particularly difficult circumstances. He reiterates his appreciation to the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for their unwavering commitment. He recalls that AMISOM's only objective is to assist the Somalis bring to a definite end the conflict plaguing their country and which has inflicted tremendous suffering on its people.
This new wave of attacks came at a time when remarkable achievements have been made towards the promotion of an all-inclusive political and reconciliation process, which culminated with the election of a new President and the appointment of a new Prime Minister and Cabinet, which has been endorsed by the now expanded Somali Transitional Federal Parliament.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU's determination to do whatever it can to sustain and consolidate the progress thus made and support the Somalis in achieving the peace and stability they have been aspiring to for about two decades now. At the same time, the AU will intensify its consultations with all its partners to see to it that concrete measures are taken against the extremist elements trying to reverse the progress made in Somalia, including through attacks against AMISOM, and to undermine regional peace and stability. The AU will also continue to work closely with the Somali Government to assist it towards the early establishment of Somali security forces.
The Chairperson of the Commission appeals, once again, to all AU partners within the international community to provide all the support required to the Somali Government and parties committed to the restoration of lasting peace, reconciliation and security in their country.