Claiming joint operations with the Somali troops had gone “extremely well” over the weekend the African Union military forces in Somalia reported they have ousted al-Shabaab from the capital city of Mogadishu.

Of course al-Shabaab had already left, by and large, in the face of a growing famine in August, and only a comparatively small number remained in the city. Still, the ouster was played as a major victory in the wake of a massive suicide truck bombing by the group last week.

The AU forces say that from now on the troops will focus on “policing” the areas and trying to prevent future terror attacks against the city. It does not seem that they are hoping to take more of the country.

In an effort to not let their “success” imperil international funding of the ongoing conflict, the AU spokesman insisted that al-Shabaab remains a “major threat” that needs to be fought.

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