Press Statement

The Government of FDRE strongly condemns the terrorist attack on AMISOM Headquarters

The government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia strongly condemns today’s cowardly attack on  AMISOM’s headquarters targeting AMISOM and TFG authorities and pledges once again to stand firmly with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and AMISOM in their heroic endeavors to stem the tide of terrorist violence and to maintain peace and stability in the country. The Ethiopian government realizes that these are indeed trying times for the Government and people of Somalia and it recognizes the murderous acts of Al Shabab and its international Mujahedeen recruits will continue to pose a serious threat to the prospect of peace in that country and the whole region. It is the conviction of the Government of the FDRE that such attacks should not scare elements of peace away from their cause. Indeed, it is altogether fitting that such attacks, tragic and deplorable as they are, be met with added resolve and commitment equal to the challenge. After all, the choice of targets and the cowardly means employed clearly indicate how desperate the terrorists are in the face of the joint efforts by the TFG, AMISOM as well as other forces of peace to checkmate their murderous campaign.

 The Government of Ethiopia firmly believes that it is high time that the international community redoubled its efforts already underway and to renew its commitment to the cause of peace in Somalia. The brazenness of the attacks on AMISOM Headquarters today should, if anything, point to the sense of urgency with which the international community must bring its pressure to bear on the murderous campaign of Al Shabab and its international terrorist recruits as well as on those who help these groups unleash destruction and carnage on the civilian population and on the forces of peace. To the extent that there were some who were willing to give Al Shabab and its allies the benefit of the doubt for the sake of peace—as it were, today’s terrorist attack is a stark reminder that these forces do not have even the slightest of interest in any national reconciliation efforts in the country at all. Needless to say, the international community cannot remain complacent and its words need to be matched by immediate and appropriate action in order to keep the prospect of peace in Somalia alive.

Finally, the government of Ethiopia would like to express its condolences to the TFG, AMISOM, to the people of Somalia in general as well as to those who may have lost their loved ones as a result of this despicable act of terror. The Government of Ethiopia also expresses its sympathies with the Governments of Burundi and Uganda for the principled positions they have always taken and for excellently discharging their responsibilities in a truly African spirit. The government of Ethiopia also likes to take this opportunity to express its usual readiness to support the efforts of forces of peace to rid Somalia of the forces of violence and terror.

17 September 2009

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Addis Ababa