Africa Union Condemns Insurgent Attack on Somali Premier’s Residence

The African Union (AU) has sharply condemned Monday's attacks on the residence of Somalia's Prime Minister which reportedly left at least 13 people dead. Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein was in the palace when Islamic insurgents fired mortar rounds on the home in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. None of the people in the place, including the prime minister was hurt in the attack. Soldiers of the national army retaliated with heavy artillery fire against the insurgents. Ambassador Nicholas Bwakira is the African Union special envoy to Somalia. He tells reporter Peter Clottey that the AU will continue in its quest to ensure peace and stability returns to Somalia.
"This attack is nothing more or less than what has happened in the past. Insurgents have been trying to demonstrate that they are in control of the security situation in Mogadishu, but they have been repelled each time they have attacked. And I know that this is their way of just destabilizing Somalia. But we are determined that the Somali government and the ARS (Alliance for Re-liberation) are able to demonstrate that they are able to resist the attack and that the forces of peace are able to hold the situation under control," Ambassador Bwakira pointed out more..http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-01-13-voa4.cfm