AMISOM Helps Investigate Theatre Bombing

A Joint Board of Inquiry consisting of investigators and bomb experts from AMISOM and Somali security agencies Friday began investigating an attack two weeks ago on the newly reopened National Theatre in Mogadishu in which 11 people lost their lives.

The Board was formed following a request from the Transitional Federal Government, and consists of experienced and professional investigators from the AMISOM Police Component, the Somali Police Force and the National Security Agency. It will also be joined by bomb experts from AMISOM’s military component.

Hon. Wafula Wamunyinyi, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Somalia, the most senior AMISOM official in Mogadishu, urged city residents to cooperate with the team so that the probe is expedited.

“I call upon political leaders and the public to exercise patience and refrain from making statements that may prejudice the outcome of the investigation,” he said. “Unwarranted speculation can only hinder the effort to learn lessons and to ensure that the people of Mogadishu are better protected,” he added.

“With the help of AMISOM and the international community, the people of Somalia have made great strides towards lasting stability which all must come together to defend,” he said, noting that the country was on track to adopt a new constitution and complete the transition to permanent and representative government.

Hon. Wafula stressed that despite the attack on the Theatre, for which the Al-Qaeda affiliated terror group, al Shabaab, has claimed responsibility, the Somali capital was experiencing its longest period of relative peace since the collapse of central government in 1991. He thanked the public for providing information which has led to the majority of al Shabaab plots against the city being disrupted.