Uganda lauds Kenya on Somalia mission

Budaka

The Minister of Defence, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, has backed Kenya’s spirited move to attack the Somalia militant Islamist group, the al-Shabaab, that have claimed responsibility for a series of attacks and kidnappings of foreign tourists in Kenya, leaving at least five people dead and scores seriously injured since October 4.

Speaking during the thanksgiving and victory celebrations for Dr Jeremiah Mutwalante Twa-Twa as Iki-Iki MP in Budaka at the weekend, Dr Kiyonga said the move by the Kenyan government has been applauded by Ugandan government for supplementing AU-Amisom forces in fighting the al-Shabaab, who have also threatened to retaliate against the move.

Good decision
“The decision taken by our sister country Kenya to join in the struggle to fight these militant islamist is a good gesture because they are becoming a security threat in the region, ”Dr Kiyonga said.

Since 2006, Somalia has faced an insurgency led by al-Shabaab, one of Africa’s most fearsome militant Islamist groups. Al-Shabaab controls much of southern Somalia and has claimed affiliation with al-Qaeda since 2007. The militants have claimed responsibility for some of the attacks that have rocked Somalia and most East African countries.

Last week, Kenya sent hundreds of its troops into southern Somalia to flush out the al-Shabaab following a spate of kidnappings. Somalia and Kenya reportedly signed a joint communique calling for “decisive action” against the insurgents. However, after signing the document, Somalia’s President, Sheik Sharif, criticised Kenya’s military offensive into his nation, which raised questions about how bilateral the military action was.

France, US join
Kenya has said the purpose of the operation was to support Somalia’s government in its battle against the al-Shabaab and that it plans to stay in Somalia until the threat of the insurgents has been “reduced.”

A Somali government spokesman said while Somalia welcomed assistance from Kenya, the Somali government’s territorial sovereignty must be ensured. France has said it would send equipment and logistical support to Kenya in its operation. The American Ambassador to Kenya, Scott Gration, indicated that the United States might also help in the operation.