AMISOM appeals for humanitarian assistance for El Baraf residents

El Baraf, 27 October 2016 – The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Wednesday made an appeal to international partners and nongovernmental organizations to help provide potable water for residents of the liberated town of El Baraf.

El Baraf, a strategic town sits 150 kilometres from Mogadishu in the Middle Shabelle region.

AMISOM contingent commander Lt. Col. Jean Pierre Hakizimana told journalists that AMISOM was appealing for help to meet the pressing demand for clean water supply for the town, as troops focus on security and opening of routes to other parts of Somalia.

“As you are aware, the troops cannot bring water for the people. The military cannot bring food for the people. The troops cannot bring foodstuff for the vulnerable people.
I take this opportunity to ask all partners to come to the rescue of El Baraf people… The need for water made some of them flee from the town,” Lt. Col. Hakizimana said.

Sadia Abdi Ali, a resident said water shortage had forced some of the residents to relocate to places where they can get the commodity.

“There is shortage of water and people have moved to other towns. I appeal to donors to come to our support in terms of water distribution and development of the town”, Sadia added.

Sadia was supported by El Baraf’s local chief, Musa Sharwai Jabow, who also called on Somalis in the diaspora, originating from the town, to lend their aid.

The chief said AMISOM, with the support of the Somali National Army (SNA), had repulsed Al-Shabaab making the town safe for residents.

“When SNA forces and AMISOM Burundi contingent arrived in El Baraf, Al-Shabab fled from the area. All they do is issue threats to the locals since they have no power to face AMISOM”, Chief Jabow added.

The liberation of El Baraf had brought benefits not just to the local residents, but also resulted in the opening up of major routes to other parts of Somalia, AMISOM spokesperson Lt. Col. Joe Kibet Murrey said.

“El Baraf occupies a strategic position that controls the routes going to north Somalia, central and south-central. It’s at a junction that Al-Shabaab used to dominate; they used it for collection of taxes and making money. When we came here we cut that link, we forced them out and denied them the opportunity of getting income from taxation along this region and oppressing the people,” said Kibet.

El Baraf was recaptured by AMISOM forces early this year to help free its residents from Al-Shabaab control and also open up major routes.

Source:Amisom/somalia