[An Nahar] Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud escaped unhurt Tuesday from an ambush on his heavily armoured convoy claimed by Al-Qaeda linked Islamists, the latest attack targeting the internationally backed leader.Shabaab gunnies claimed to have ambushed the convoy as it travelled to the port of Merka south of the capital and boasted of destroying vehicles with rocket-propelled grenades.
But officials said that the attack had failed and all in the presidential entourage were safe.
"Gunmen tried to disrupt the president's trip ... but I can confirm the president and his delegation are well and reached their final destination Merka to have meetings with local community," said Somali army official Mohamed Qorey, speaking by telephone from Merka.
The president was travelling in an armoured convoy from the 17,700-strong African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
force (AMISOM) that fights alongside the Somali army against Shabaab gunnies.
"We ambushed a convoy that was escorting the self-appointed Somali president," Shabaab front man Abdulaziz Abu Musab told Agence La Belle France Presse.
The attack took place near the small settlement of Buffow, close to Merka, a former Shabaab stronghold captured one year ago around 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of the capital.
"The presidential convoy was attacked but they have continued after about 15 minutes of heavy gunfire," said Ibrahim Adan, a resident of Buffow.
Diplomatic sources played down the attacks saying it had consisted of little more than a roadside kaboom.
Residents in Merka said Mohamud appeared in the port, greeting officials and residents as he toured the town.
"He was fine and well, meeting the people who had come to see him," said Nasir Abdirahmam, a resident of Merka.