FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Somalia*All AMISOM Troops Accounted For *7 October 2010

On Thursday, October 7, 2010, inaccurate media reports alleged that the Al

Shabaab extremists in Mogadishu had captured and killed a soldier from the

African Union Mission in Somalia’s Burundian contingent.

AMISOM refutes this outright and corrects this misinformation making the

following points:

1. All AMISOM troops are accounted for. We have conducted a headcount

of all our personnel in the field and confirms that none are missing.

2. Allegations to the contrary are part of a desperate Al Shabaab ploy

to divert attention from the losses they have been suffering on the ground

which have precipitated a split within the extremists’ ranks. In recent

weeks, following the failed Al Shabaab offensive during the holy month of

Ramadan, Transitional Federal Government troops, with the support of AMISOM,

have taken many key positions from the Al Shabaab. Under pressure from our

forces, divisions within the Al Shabaab leadership have resulted in the

withdrawal of much of their fighting force from the capital and other

important towns .

3. To compensate for their current weakness and lack of support from

the local communities, whom they have brutalized, the militants have

resorted to abducting and brainwashing children to serve as fighters and

suicide bombers. This is against all civilized norms and international

conventions.

Unlike the extremists, AMISOM appreciates the role of a free press in

covering conflicts. We, however, urge journalists to exercise due diligence

in reporting the facts. We stand ready to answer any inquiries regarding the

condition of our troops in Mogadishu and to facilitate accurate reporting of

the situation on the ground.

--

By Barigye Ba-Hoku

Major

AMISOM Force Spokesman

Tel: Somalia (+252) 699 758567

Tel: Somalia (+252) 165 800500

Tel: East Africa (+256) 773 285177 or (+256) 752 692070

Email: [email protected]