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Ethiopia urges worldwide anti-terror response after Kampala attack

PANA

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Ethiopian authorities Monday condemned the terrorist attack that killed 64 people in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and urged the international community to immediately tackle the threat of global terrorism without any further delay.

In a statement issued following the twin bombings in Kampala, which also killed some 10 Ethiopians and injured over 70 people, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry said the attack was linked to Uganda's troop contributions to Somalia.

'The government of Ethiopia condemns in the strongest possible terms this evil and cowardly attack and expresses its solidarity with the people and government of Uganda,' the statement said.

The attacks in the Ugandan capital occurred days after the Somali terrorist group linked to the Al Qaeda network, the Al Shabab, issued warnings that it would attack Ugandan and Burundian interests.

The warnings followed last week's resolutions by a group of East African leaders to tighten regional action against the Al Shabab in Somalia.

The declarations issued after the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) heads of state and government Summit meeting in Addis Ababa on 5 July called for immediate troop reinforcement in Somalia to tighten the fight against terrorism there.

Ethiopian government praised Kampala for its commitment to fighting terrorism inside Somalia, saying 'It is a country discharging its Pan-Africanist duties with unreserved full commitment.'

The attack, the Ethiopian officials said, was an attack against the entire interest of Africa, which requires urgent international action.

'Those who have chosen this method (terrorism) and their defenders should not be allowed to succeed,' the statement added.

Ugandan authorities have linked the attacks to the Al Shabab and vowed to capture its planners.

The attackers targeted the Ethiopian Village Restaurant and a rugby club, both in Kampala.

Ethiopia, worried about the impact of the Islamist activities inside Somalia, sent out its troops in late 2006 to crash the Al Shabab militants in the country. Ethiopian troops later withdrew, but the East African nation said it would not rule out the possibility of future interventions if its security inter ests were at stake.

The Ethiopian government said Monday the international community must stop further dithering on the continuing threats posed by the Somali militants.

'Ambiguous stand on this (terrorism) question and dithering would indeed be tragic and the highest of follies for the international community,' it said.

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At least Six Ethiopians were killed in the Uganda bomb blast



Uganda makes arrests after twin deadly blasts



Several dead in separate bomb blasts at Ethiopian Restaurant and Rugby bar in Uganda Capital

At least Six Ethiopians were killed in the Uganda bomb blast

The carnage that killed 74 innocent football fans watching the world cup in Uganda's capital has claimed at least six confirmed Ethiopian nationals according to Ethiopia's ambassador to Uganda, the Daily Monitor said.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Uganda Terfa Mengesha told Daily Monitor by telephone that preliminary reports had indicated that six Ethiopian nationals had been confirmed dead. “I think the other four were Eritrean,” he told the paper.

Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba told journalists that of the dead, 15 were killed at the Ethiopian Village and 49 at Lugogo Rugby Club, adding that 10 of the dead were either Ethiopian or Eritrean. She was speaking before the death toll rose to 74.

Preliminary reports cited by Daily Monitor puts the death toll at 74 and among these Twenty-eight were Ugandans, 11 Ethiopians/Eritreans, one Irish lady and an Asian. Thirty-three people are still unidentified.

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Uganda makes arrests after twin deadly blasts



Several dead in separate bomb blasts at Ethiopian Restaurant and Rugby bar in Uganda Capital

Victims of Radical Islam Photo Daily Monitor

Uganda makes arrests after twin deadly blasts

KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda has made arrests after Somali Islamists said they detonated two bombs killing at least 74 people, and an unexploded suicide-bomb belt has been found at a third site, a government spokesman said on Tuesday,

The twin explosions ripped through two bars heaving with soccer fans watching the closing moments of the World Cup final on television late on Sunday.

"Arrests were made late yesterday after an unexploded suicide bomber's belt was found in the Makindye area (of the capital Kampala)," said government spokesman Fred Opolot.

He did not say how many people were arrested after the attacks, for which a radical, al Qaeda-inspired Somali group, al Shabaab claimed responsibility.

Al Shabaab have threatened further attacks on Uganda and Burundi, both of which have peacekeepers in the lawless Horn of Africa nation, if the troops are not withdrawn.

Opolot said there was no suggestion an African Union summit to be hosted by Uganda later this month would be cancelled following the bombings.

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Several dead in separate bomb blasts at Ethiopian Restaurant and Rugby bar in Uganda Capital