Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 17 October 2017: The African Union and its Member-States in keeping with the principles and values of pan-Africanism and African Solidarity, and within the Framework of the African Solidarity Initiative (Africa Helping Africa), launched in February 2014 to support countries in crises, including in natural/ environmental and man-made disasters and humanitarian situations; have mobilised in support of the Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Somalia during this very difficult time.

Following the recent terrorist attack in Mogadishu on Saturday 14th October 2017, the African Union through its peace enforcement mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has indicated its full availability to completely assist the Federal Government and people of Somalia within its military, police and civilian capabilities.

Following the attack several actions have been undertaken AMISOM as well as AU Member states including:

• AU AMISOM staff from Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCS) such as Burundi and Uganda have donated blood towards the health recovery of victims.
• AMISOM has provided generators, earth moving equipment, sniffer dogs and rescue teams to be used in the ongoing search and rescue operations
• Deployment of Medical Personnel
• Provision of logistical assistance
  • Provision of ambulances and airlifting of the wounded to neighbouring countries - TCCs such as Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya have offered to send medical aid to Somalia to assist the injured. Djibouti has already sent 30 doctors to Mogadishu to provide urgent assistance and Kenya has airlifted 31 gravely wounded persons for immediate assistance.
  • Crisis experts and on-site management support is also being provide. Both AMISOM military and police (FPUs and IPOs) have been deployed to assist with the cordoning off the affected area.

The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the Special Representative of the Chairperson in Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, are continuously in touch with the top leadership in Somalia to monitor the progress on the ground.