AU warns of possible further suicide attacks in Mogadishu

The warning came a day after a suicide car bomb exploded close to a base of the AU peacekeepers in the south of the city. Bridgeye Bahoku, spokesman for the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), said that other suicide car bombs are “ready and can be used to target AMISOM bases in Mogadishu at any moment”. "Two motor vehicles intended for suicide attacks have already been prepared and loaded with explosives and we can give evidences; the first vehicle is a red, Toyota Hilux Surf and the second vehicle is a blue, Toyota pick up similar to those used by the Somali police, so in support of the Somali people and the information we have, we are alerting the Somali people that these vehicles are ready and any time they will be driven to this town to kill innocent civilians,” said Barigye Ba-huko, the spokesman of AMISOM.
Mr. Barigye said AMISOM was ready to leave if the Somali people reconcile and build their national institutions.“AMISOM is not ready to stay here for ever it is impossible. We have other duties to perform in our countries. AMISOM is willing and ready to go if the Somalis reach agreement,” Barigye Ba-huko added.On Saturday a suicide car bomb aimed at the AMISOM base blew up before reaching the target after a policeman fired at it when the driver refused to stop, killing nearly 30 civilians in a bus and wounded 37 others including bystanders. Police later said that the suicide bomber was a foreigner from an Arab state which they did not specify. Al-shabaab insurgent group claimed responsibility for the attackand said they inflicted casualties to the AU peacekeepers.Nearly 3,400 African peacekeepers from Uganda and Burundi are currently deployed as part of an initially UN-authorized 8,000-strong AU peacekeeping force in Somalia. Several other African countries that pledged to contribute have not yet done so citing logistical and financial constraints.
African Peacekeepers Ready to Defend If Attacked