Death of Eleven Burundian Soldiers in Mogadishu

US Department of State: Press Release

The United States strongly condemns the February 22 attack on African Union peacekeepers by a violent extremist fringe in Somalia. We offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the eleven Burundian victims. Our thoughts are also with the fifteen individuals who were wounded. We commend the governments of Burundi and Uganda as well as the African Union for their courage and continued efforts to support the restoration of stability and effective governance in Somalia.

Such acts of terror are the refuge of desperate extremists who aim to strip from the Somali people an opportunity to determine their own future and achieve lasting peace and stability. These acts are also hindering the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance.

We call on all Somalis to support the new unity government led by President Sheikh Sharif and Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke and to reject the violence and extremism intended to prevent Somalia from regaining political and economic stability.

PRN: 2009/148

US Department of State

SOMALIA: TOP UN ENVOY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST KILLING OF AU PEACEKEEPERS

SOMALIA: TOP UN ENVOY SPEAKS OUT AGAINST KILLING OF AU PEACEKEEPERS
New York, Feb 23 2009 2:00PM
The top United Nations envoy to Somalia today said he was shocked to hear about an attack against African Union peacekeepers in the capital that claimed the lives of 11 Burundian troops.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, characterized yesterday's incident as "unpatriotic" and expressed shock to hear of the murder of the peacekeepers who were trying to help the Horn of Africa nation.

The killings of the soldiers with the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia, known as AMISOM, occurred the day after the Parliament approved the new Cabinet put together by Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke.

"I am sure that this attack was carried out to detract attention from positive developments concerning Somalia," Mr. Ould-Abdallah said, adding that the new Government seeks to help bring normality back to the people.

Somalia is entering a "time of hope," with President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed returning to Mogadishu today, he noted. "For Somalis, those who are behind these killings are well-known and are on the losing side."

There have been several encouraging developments over the past month for Somalia, which has not had a functioning central government since 1991, including the election of the new President in what the UN has hailed as "a fair and open manner" and the creation of an enlarged Parliament.
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