The Somali government has on Monday pledged to work with the newly-appointed African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) force commander to flush Al-Shabaab militants out of the Horn of Africa nation.
The officials were speaking in Mogadishu during a gathering to welcome the new AMISOM force commander.
Minister for Internal Security, Abdirisak Mohamed that the country’s security forces would work with Lt. – Gen. Osman Soubagleh to ensure Al-Shabaab militants are defeated and peace is restored to the country.
“I have worked with Gen Soubagleh in the past and he is someone who can make change.
He said that the Somali forces and the AMISOM troops under the leadership of the new force commander would help boost security in Somalia.
Somalia’s Chief of Defence Forces, Major – Gen. Mohamed Ahmed urged Somali security forces to work closely with AMISOM to ensure their joint operations have a lasting positive impact.
Al-Shabaab militants have of late increased their attacks on AMISOM bases, hotels and public utilities in a bid to topple the Somali government.
Dozens of people have been killed in the past months in Al-Shabaab attacks in the capital Mogadishu and southern Somalia.
Soubagleh on his part appealed for joint efforts in fighting Al-Shabaab.
He said there must be serious initiative to fight Al-Shabaab them in their safe havens.
“We must isolate them from the population and provide Somali people with security and enable them to rebuild their country.
“We cannot achieve this alone as AMISOM. We need the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali National Forces’ support and assistance from our partners,” he said.
The AMISOM commander officially assumed office last month, with the key task of helping the Somali army maintain security during the forthcoming general elections in Somalia, and ensuring the fight against Al-Shabaab is sustained and more areas liberated.