Uganda: Somali Islamists behind attacks

By on July 12, 2010
islamist-fightersAs elsewhere in the world Sunday night, the Ugandans had gathered in large numbers in public places to watch the World Cup final in South Africa. Two devices exploded while the game was ending, killing at least 64 persons and 65 were wounded. One of the attacks targeted the Ethiopian Village, the hub of nightlife in Kampala. The other hit the Rugby Club. Police said the attack may have targeted the foreign community, attending the two sites.

For the head of the Ugandan police there is no doubt, the double attack is linked to the Somali conflict. Uganda contributes – with its neighbor Burundi – to the peacekeeping force of the African Union in Somalia (AMISOM). Its mission is to protect the fragile interim government in place in Mogadishu. This commitment has cost the country recent threats of the Shehab Islamist insurgents, who consider AMISOM as an occupying force.
The procedure – two simultaneous attacks – suggests the practice of al-Qaida or affiliated armed groups to it.
Not later than Saturday, Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed had voiced its concern over the increasing number of foreign jihadists joining the ranks of the Islamist insurgency. That is a growing threat to stability, he added.

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