The African Union has called on member states and the international community to increase their support for Somalia following the deadly attack by Al-Shabaab on the Jilacow Prison in Mogadishu.
In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said he called on all African Union member states, including those contributing troops and police, as well as the international community, to support the Federal Republic of Somalia and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
He noted that such support is needed “to effectively degrade and eliminate Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups in Somalia.”
The call came after an attack on the Jilaacow detention center, a high-security prison in Mogadishu, on October 4, which officials said caused deaths and injuries. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.
Commissioner Youssouf expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated the African Union’s commitment to peace in the region, noting that AUSSOM will continue its partnership with Somali forces to stabilize areas recently liberated from militants.
