Presidents vows to join hands in war on terrorism

ELDORET: Three African Presidents have vowed not to waver in the war against terrorism until peace is attained.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his counterparts Mohammadu Buhari of Nigeria and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said they will work in solidarity to ensure perpetrators of terror across the region and globally are defeated.

The leaders said terrorism is a global threat to humanity that needs a global response irrespective of political, ethnic, religious or racial inclinations.
“Every single one of those cowards will be hunted down. Every drop of blood of our gallant soldiers will not go in vain and the only reward is to ensure we win this war,” said President Kenyatta.

He said he will not listen to the voices of those who have lost courage and are calling for retreat of Kenya Defence Forces troops from Somalia.

“Those who want us to retreat in the hope that the enemy will leave us alone have forgotten that the enemy followed us to our land forcing us to pursue them and destabilise them from their bases,” said President Kenyatta.

He reiterated that KDF will not be withdrawn from Somalia and allow the cruel terrorists to continue attacking innocent people, adding instability and insecurity in Somalia affects Kenya and the region.
The three were speaking during an interdenominational mass at the 9th Kenya Rifles base at Moi Barracks in Eldoret Wednesday to honour KDF soldiers who were killed in El Adde camp attack two weeks ago.

 KENYA THANKED

Buhari said terrorism is a global challenge against humanity and that his government will stand with Kenya and other African states and global community to take the battle to where the terrorists are.

He said Nigeria also faces challenges from terror groups and that it is time to unite in solidarity in confronting a common enemy. “It is the sacred duty of every one to ensure the blood shed is not in vain. It needs commitment, sacrifice, resources and collaboration to effectively battle the killers,” he added.

Mohamud said his country is highly indebted to the sacrifice made by Kenya to help it fight terrorism and regain stability in his state.

He condemned terror groups, terming their activities as lacking humanity saying the attackers are barbaric devils who do not have a religion and must be fought to the end.

“The importance of KDF in Somalia is beyond words and we are solidly behind Kenya and the world in fighting these terrorists. We are going to win this fight because we have won it before. The attack just strengthens us. Thank you Kenya,” he said.