At a time when the people of Somalia are working to build a more stable and safe country, Al Shabab launched an attack against an AMISOM base in Janaale, Lower Shabelle province. This attack appears to be a response to the successful offensive that AMISOM and the Somali National Army have been undertaking against Al Shabab in Central and Southern Somalia. Such attacks will not deter the Somali and African effort to bring peace to their country. The EU will continue to stand with the Somali people, the African Union, AMISOM, and other partners to enhance Somalia's stability and capacity to fight terrorism.

The EU expresses its condolences to the victims of the attack, from AMISOM and Somali National Army, and to their families.