Somali president appeals for unity amid security challenges

Tuesday March 8, 2016

File: Somalia President Hassan Shiekh Mohamuud.

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MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somali president has appealed for unity by members of the country’s parliament in the midst of pressing security challenges facing the government which is struggling to stop deadly attack by Al Shabab group.

The militant group has carried out numerous attacks across the country since early this year, killing scores of people, mostly civilians.

Speaking at the parliament on the last day before MPs embarked for a month-long recess on Sunday, president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said that despite making progress in different fields, his government needed support and unity by lawmakers to deal with challenges posed by militants’ attacs in the country,

“We can only take care of the security issue when there’s a unity and collective efforts, therefore we have to act sooner than later.” Mr. Mohamud said.

“Besides that, we also need to impose tough security measures.” He said.

In his speech, president Mohamud has underlined challenges facing his government to change the negative perception towards the country that it was still in chaos which is sliding backwards.

Somalia is recovering from decades of war after the ouster of militants from the capital and surrounding regions in recent years.

However, security remains a major issue in the horn of Africa nation especially the capital Mogadishu which has seen an increase in the number of attacks by Al Shabab group which despite being ousted from its key strongholds stepped up its guerrilla attacks across large parts of the country.

The group which security experts say shifted its military tactics also carried out three major attacks on three African Union force bases in Somalia, which saw fighters overrun bases and killed 'scores of soldiers.

Militants have also confiscated a large amount of military armaments and vehicles, raising fears among AU officials that the group would use to them to carry out attacks disguised as African Union forces.

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