African leaders unite against terrorism

Three African leaders on Wednesday united against terror that has hit hard their countries.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted his counterparts Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at a memorial service honouring the fallen Kenya Defence Forces soldiers who were killed in Somalia two weeks ago.

In one voice, the leaders condemned the terrorist attack and said extremism is a global threat to humanity that needs a global response irrespective of political, ethnic, religious or racial inclinations.

Kenyatta vowed not to withdraw Kenyan forces from Somalia and said his forces will continue hunting down perpetrators.

“We owe these young patriots who gave everything a debt of honour. We can begin to discharge it by resolving never to forget their sacrifices. We must also make sure that every single one of those cowards who murdered them will be hunted down and brought to justice. For our soldiers’ blood will not be shed in vain,” he said.

Nigeria’s Buhari said his government will stand with Kenya and other African nations in the fight against terror.

“Nigeria has had a fair share of these ugly acts committed by Boko Haram. Elsewhere in other parts of Africa and the Middle East and across the world, terrorists have continued to inflict pain and misery on innocent civilians and security personnel alike. Indeed, the threat posed to global peace and security by terrorists is enormous even as they continue to restrategize and grow in sophistication in order to strengthen their capacity to cause havoc,” he said.

The three presidents have now all placed wreaths at the #KDF monument. pic.twitter.com/Hyg08D3Dmb

— emmanuel Igunza (@EmmanuelIgunza) January 27, 2016

Somalia’s Mohamud on the other hand said his country was highly indebted to Kenya in the fight against terror which has helped in regaining its current stability.

“I travelled and came here to share the grievances with the families and also appreciate the sacrifices that Kenya has made for Somalia and my deepest sympathy with you all who have been with Somalia at the most difficult times both inside Somalia and here in Kenya,” the president said.

The Al Shabaab insurgents say they killed more than 100 soldiers at the El-Adde base in Somalia but the Kenyan government has still not released the exact figures.