The African Union (AU) has issued a strong call for immediate and coordinated action against Al-Shabaab, following a deadly assault near Somalia’s presidential palace in Mogadishu.
In a statement released on Sunday, October 5, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged all Member States, Troop and Police Contributing Countries, and the broader international community to intensify efforts to degrade and eliminate Al-Shabaab and other terrorist groups operating in Somalia.
The appeal came after Al-Shabaab militants attacked Godka Jilow, a heavily guarded underground prison complex known to detain fighters from the group. The assault, which began on Saturday, October 4, involved a car bomb explosion followed by hours of gunfire and explosions that rocked the Somali capital for nearly six hours.
According to reports, the attackers disguised themselves by using vehicles painted to resemble those of Somalia’s intelligence agency and wearing military-style uniforms. This deception allowed them to pass through checkpoints in one of Mogadishu’s most secure zones, close to the presidential palace.
Despite the intensity of the assault, Somalia’s Ministry of Internal Security confirmed that all seven attackers were killed, and no prisoners escaped. The government described the incident as one of the most significant terror attacks in recent months.
Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s full solidarity with the Somali government, emphasizing the Union’s unwavering commitment to neutralizing terrorism and violent extremism across Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and the entire continent.
Kenya is among the nations contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), deploying approximately 1,410 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel as part of the 11,900-strong mission supporting Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab.
The AU has vowed to continue backing Somalia’s security transition while urging global partners to maintain momentum in combating terrorism in the region.
