Somalia president urges solidarity against Al-Shabab

ADDIS ABABA, (Xinhua) — Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Monday called on the international community to unite against Al-Shabab and its brutality.

The president made the remarks during his short briefing to journalists upon his arrival to Addis Ababa on Monday.

He said the worst single explosion in Mogadishu’s history on Oct. 14, which has left at least 358 dead and 56 others unaccounted for, is critical to “unite against our enemy, Al-Shabab, who committed atrocity on innocent people.”

“This threat is not only a threat to Somalia but also to our neighboring countries,” Mohammed said. “That is why I am here to seek support and solidarity from our brothers here in Ethiopia.”

Mohammed praised Ethiopia for its help to Somalia in the aftermath of the terrorist bombing, which also injured more than 200 people.
According to the Ethiopian foreign ministry, Mohammed is expected to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on ways of further reinforcing the peace and tranquility of Somalia in particular and the region in general.

Desalegn had previously called on regional leaders to work together to bring lasting peace and security in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region.

According to Desalegn, insufficient support from the international community is creating huge burden on the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.