Yet again, a brutal attack in Somalia by the Islamist terror group al-Shabaab has claimed many lives. The targets this time were Ugandan soldiers involved in AMISOM, the African Union Mission in Somalia, who are, with international support, fighting the terrorists and working for peace and stabilisation in a country plagued by decades of civil war and erosion of state structures. I condemn this attack and the terrorists’ violence in the strongest possible terms.

This incident provides terrible evidence that the Islamist terrorists are still active in Somalia and that the extent of their violence knows no bounds.

The international community must continue its resolute resistance. Somalia has made progress on the road towards peace and stabilisation in recent years – progress which cannot now be jeopardised. The people of Somalia deserve to live in freedom and dignity, free from fear and oppression.

Alongside our partners in the EU and the international community, Germany will therefore continue to support the Somali Government and the AMISOM troops in the fight against terrorism.