The African Union (AU) has sharplycondemned Islamic insurgent attacks on a ship carrying logistics for itspeacekeeping troops (AMISOM) in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. The ambushoperations left at least three people dead. No group has claimedresponsibility, but the Islamic hardliner group al-Shabab vowed Wednesday toattack any ship carrying military support for the AU mission. Described byWashington as a terrorist organization, al-Shabab also warned it will soonlaunch fresh attacks on AU troops in Somalia, promising to take over thecountry and institute Sharia law. Major General Abdi Hassan Awale is the SomaliInspector general of Police and was present during the attack. He tellsreporter Peter Clottey that without logistical support, it would be a bigchallenge for Somali police to contain the threat posed by al-Shabab.
"Around11:30 in the morning and I was there at the seaport when we got the attacksfrom the Islamic insurgents. From 11:30 up to 4 o'clock, there have been elevenattacks. Although there were casualties, so far as I know, there have beenthree deaths and 11 wounded," said Major General Awale.
Hesaid despite al-Shabab threats to attack ships carrying logistical support forthe AU mission, there was no damage to the ship with the supplies.
"Theysaid that they will attack the AMISOM shipment, but the ship carrying thesupplies to AMISOM had no damage after the attacks. The only problem was thatthose workers at the seaport and the cargo carried by the Somali business groupcarrying food and some items were affected," he said.
MajorGeneral Awale said it would be challenging to contain threats of an Islamic hardlinergroup like al-Shabab.
"Youknow al-Shabab controls lots of places in this country including many regionsand districts. So it is difficult to control them, although with a nationalplan and support from the government, we can control them. I believe that ifthe Somali people welcome the reconciliation process as well as the election ofthe new president, we can do something. I also think if the Somali force isreorganized and logistics provided as well as training, I think that is theonly way to contain the problem coming from al-Shabab," Major General Awalepointed out.
Hesaid without international support it would be difficult for Somali police toprovide adequate security in Mogadishu.
"Thepolice first of all are in need of international community support, such asfinancial and logistics, as well as other things. Without the assistance, Ithink the police cannot do anything about al-Shabab," he said.
MajorGeneral Awale described the working relationship between the AU peacekeepingmission and Somali police as refreshing.
"Thecooperation between the police and AMISIOM is very good. We are workingtogether very well, but at the same time Somalia is a very big country, andMogadishu the capital is very populated. And the number of AMISOM, as well asthe number of police personnel, is very limited. So we cannot cover every placein the capital unless we have more recruits and retraining, as well asaccompanied logistical supplies. I think we can deal with the threats ofal-Shabab since the group does not have a lot of members," Major General Awalenoted.
Al-Shabab has sharplydenied reports it is negotiating with the country's new President Sheikh SharifSheikh Ahmed, saying it will never meet with him. The group says it is stronglyopposed to new government and vowed more attacks to take over the country.
Al-Shabab spokesman SheikMuqtar Robow Abu Mansur said that President Ahmed's government does notimplement Islamic law in the war-torn Horn of Africa country, and he warnedAfrican countries considering sending forces to Somalia as peacekeepers thatthey will come under attack from the group's fighters