20110126
xinhua

BUJUMBURA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Somali President Sherif Ahmed Sherif visited Burundian troops serving in the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to comfort them in the fight against terrorism, the mission said on Tuesday.

Speaking on the phone to Burundi state-owned radio from the Somali capital Mogadishu, Burundi Deputy Contingent Commander of AMISOM Aloys Sindayihebura said the president of Somalia came on Monday to pay tribute to the Burundian troops.

"He had come to congratulate AMISOM troops, especially the Burundian contingent for efforts made in peace restoration in Somalia. He (the president of Somalia) is aware of a great work we have recently accomplished," Col. Sindayihebura told the radio.

Col. Sindayihebura stressed that Burundian troops serving in the AMISOM recently captured two areas, a barrack and a military hospital, which had been in the hands of Somalia's al-Shabaab insurgents.

"We recently captured one barrack and the Mogadishu Military Hospital which were under control of al-Shabaab insurgents. Those two important areas are now under the control of Somali forces defending the Transitional Government," Col. Sindayihebura said.

He confirmed that security is improving and that the Burundian contingent does not have any logistical problems.

Col. Sindayihebura said, "We don't have any security threat in areas under our responsibility."

He, however, deplored the killing of two Burundian troops of the AMISOM in Somalia, who were shot dead by al-Shabaab insurgents using sniper guns during their surprise attacks.

Two East African countries, Burundi and Uganda, are the main contributors of troops in the AMISOM. Al-Shabaab insurgents have been attacking their posts in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

They also threatened for several times to attack capital cities of both countries. In July 2010, al-Shabaab insurgents claimed responsibility for bombings in the Ugandan capital Kampala, killing 76 people.