Somalia – 29 April 2016

ISIL is competing with al-Shabaab for recruits in Somalia and appears to be gaining traction

The Islamic State may be gaining a foothold in East Africa. The militant group took responsibility for an IED attack on a convoy of African Union peacekeepers traveling outside of Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu on April 25.

African Union officials have said that ISIL may not have been behind the attack, which left no casualties. Still, there are worrying signs that the group is gaining traction in war-torn Somalia, where another extremist group, al-Shabaab, could serve as a ready pool of recruits for ISIL.

Quartz

EU envoy speaks on cut in Somalia peacekeeper funding

EU envoy to Somalia Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso has stressed strong partnership with the African Union Mission as the former slashed financial aid by 20 pc, Garowe Online reports.

The European Union has provided AMISOM with millions in aid as part of ongoing stabilization operations in central and southern Somalia.  

“We know that al-Shabaab has not been defeated and we are committed to the mission but there are other missions to be accomplished in other areas and we have to give our support,” said Michele according to Kenya’s Star.

Garowe