MOGADISHU, Sunday — Somali Islamists battling the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia yesterday condemned the extension of the mandate of the Amisom peacekeepers by the African Union.

Sheikh Mohamed Moalim Ali, the Spokesman of Hizbu Islam, expressed surprise that the AU decided to extend the term of the peacekeepers for another six months from end of January.

Briefing the media in Mogadishu, Sheikh Ali stated that AU peacekeepers’ further stay in Somalia would only prolong the hardship of the Somali people.

“This mandate extension is going to fuel the already tense situation in Somalia,” remarked Sheikh Ali.

The sheikh insisted that Ethiopia was behind all the troubles in Somalia while he accused Igad (Intergovernmental Agency on Development), a regional block uniting Horn of Africa countries, of helping Ethiopia’s dubious agenda towards Somalia.

Hizbu Islam leaders were reacting to AU decision on Friday to extend the mandate of Amisom peacekeepers to support the struggling government in Somalia.

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Daily Nation