MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – The Federal Government of Somalia has issued a strong condemnation of Sivuyile Thandikhaya, the Acting Head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), accusing him of actions that undermine Somalia’s national development and security. Officials also claim that Bam has expressed sympathy toward the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
In an interview with Somali National Television, Foreign Minister Ahmed Macalin Fiqi announced that the government is considering decisive action against Bam due to what he described as a pattern of behavior harmful to Somalia’s interests.
“The individual leading AUSSOM has long been under suspicion, and it is now evident that he can no longer conceal his stance—he has effectively become a supporter of Al-Shabaab and is working against Somalia’s progress,” said Minister Fiqi.
Fiqi specifically condemned Bam for remarks made at the United Nations Security Council, where he reportedly suggested that Al-Shabaab is seeking political legitimacy and no longer targets civilians. The Minister denounced these statements as dangerous and factually incorrect.
“Such claims are not only false—they dangerously lend credibility to a group responsible for continued bombings, assassinations, and terror attacks across Somalia,” Fiqi added.
A diplomatic source told Hiiraan Online (HOL) that Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively exploring options to formally expel Bam from the country. Such a move could strain relations between Somalia and the African Union during a sensitive transitional period.
AUSSOM replaced the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) at the start of 2024 and is expected to assume full peacekeeping responsibilities by mid-year.
Despite Bam’s controversial remarks, Somalia, along with the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and the African Union, continues to classify Al-Shabaab as a terrorist organization. The group remains a major threat, regularly conducting lethal attacks on civilians, government officials, and security forces in an effort to topple the Somali government and impose its extremist version of Islamic Sharia law.