ADDIS ABABA, Oct 4 (Reuters) – The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on Saturday condemned a deadly attack by al Shabaab militants on Godka Jilow prison in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, which killed and wounded several people.
In a statement, Youssouf expressed the AU’s condolences to the government and people of Somalia, and to the families of those killed, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
He reaffirmed the African Union’s solidarity with Somalia and its commitment to helping neutralise the threat of terrorism and violent extremism in the Horn of Africa and across the continent.
Youssouf said the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) would continue to play a key role in counter-terrorism efforts, working closely with Somali security forces to restore peace and stability.
He also urged AU member states, troop- and police-contributing countries, and the wider international community to step up support for Somalia and AUSSOM in efforts to defeat al Shabaab and other militant groups.
