Somalia wants KDF out of Kismayo

A KDF soldier working under Amisom Sector II shares water with locals at Kismayo University. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

Demands by the Somali government:

  • The immediate replacement of Amisom Section Two forces to a more neutral African Union force
  • The establishment and the dispatch of a fact finding mission to assess the situation in Kismayo
  • Immediate release of Col Abbas Ibrahim Gure to resume his military duty in the region
  • The appointment of African Union Political Officer to the region not part of Amisom Section Two
  • Called for humanitarian intervention to prevent crisis and assist the civilian victims in Kismayo.

The Somali government has called for the removal of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) out of Kismayo for arresting a commander in its army and involvement in violence.

At a press conference in Mogadishu, Deputy Minister for Information Abdishakur Ali Mire accused the Amisom Section Two forces, which includes KDF of engaging in Kismayo violence that lasted for three days.

“Amisom Section Two forces purposefully arrested government appointed division 43 SNA commander, Col Abbas Ibrahim Gurey,” Abdishakur Mire said.

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“We are also informed that there was a targeted offensive against civilians and the SNA command centre in Kismayo by the Amisom Section Two forces, which is unfortunate,” he added.

The Somali government has put forward further demands including the replacement of Amisom Section Two forces to a more neutral African Union (AU) force for supporting one side of the warring parties in violation of their mandate.

The Somali government also wants the establishment and the dispatch of a fact finding mission to assess the situation in Kismayo.

Mr Mire also wants the immediate release of Col Abbas Ibrahim Gure to resume his military duty in the region as well as the appointment of African Union Political Officer to the region not part of Amisom Section Two.

The Somali government has also called for humanitarian intervention to prevent crisis and assist the civilian victims in Kismayo.

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