President Farmaajo to sum up his pitch for support against Al-Shabaab in Djibouti

President Mohamed Farmaajo (L) hold talks with his host Ethiopian PM Hailemariam Desalegn Monday. The President is seeking enhanced support from Troops Contributing Countries to bolster his war against Al-Shabaab. Photo: Villa Somalia

President Mohamed Farmaajo will conclude his visit to three of the five troops contributing countries today prosecuting his case for support against Al-Shabaab in Djibouti before jetting back home where he is expected to hold a National Security Council meeting Saturday.

The President’s shuttle diplomacy which started in Uganda Sunday and later Ethiopia Monday saw the president seek the support of leaders of the two countries for enhanced mobilization of resources ahead of the expected major offensive against Al-Shabaab following the deadly October 14 terror attack in Mogadishu.

The President has declared is he taking the war to Al-Shabaab which he blamed for the truck bombing which claimed over 350 lives and injured more than 300 others. The group has gone mute despite claiming credit for several other past attack.

“I am here to seek the solidarity of our brothers here in Ethiopia, and now I will go to Djibouti to do the same thing and to unite in this war against Al-Shabaab which is real threat to the peace and stability of the region,” the President told the media in Addis Ababa.

Farmaajo said a united front by regional countries could deliver victory against Al-Shabaab without which ‘this kind of atrocity will continue to destroy humanity’.

“We agreed that we will continue to work hard and to bring our resources to fight against these terrorists,” said Farmaajo after meeting his Ethiopian host Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

President Farmaaajo told Somali forces Saturday before departing to Uganda that he was ready to join them in the battle field against Al-Shabaab. “I am ready to join you in the frontlines and endanger my life,” the president said, adding, “The Somali public is ready today to defend their national sovereignty through their lives and properties.”

Uganda contributes the highest number (6,223) of troops to Somalia under the Amisom banner and was the first country to deploy its troops to Somalia in 2007. It deploys in sector 1 which comprises of Banaadir, Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. It also contributes police forces.

Djibouti joined Amisom in 2011 and deploys 960 troops based in sector 4 which covers Hiiraan region in central Somalia while Ethiopia was the last to join Amisom in 2014 with 4,395 troops.