United Nations (UN) and African Union have condemned the bomb blast within Mogadishu municipal premises during a meeting on Wednesday.
In a statement, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan has castigated Al-Shabaab for their heinous attack against Somali people and their government.
“I deplore this heinous attack which not only demonstrates a violent disregard for the sanctity of human life, but also targets Somalis working to improve the lives of their fellow Somalis in the Mogadishu-Banadir region,” Mr. Swan said.
Mr. Swan extended his condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to the injured.
The envoy pledged that the United Nations (UN) will support Somalia in the fight against terrorists.
“The United Nations stands with the people and government of Somalia in their rejection of such terrorist acts, and our thoughts are with the victims of this attack,” Mr. Swan affirmed.
In a separate statement, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has also condemned the attack and extended to the families of the victims.
“On behalf of AMISOM Somalia, I condemn in the strongest terms the horrific attack on the Mayor of Mogadishu’s compound; an act of hate against the people of Somalia aimed to terrorise and curtail the country’s progress. I send my sympathies to the families of the victims,” said the head of AMISOM, Francisco Madeira.
The attack was said to a suicide bomb which was detonated within the premises.
The blast killed several people including district commissioners, directors, and local government officials.
Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman was also injured in the explosion.
The blast took place hours after the mayor met with UN envoy in his office.
In a statement posted on its affiliate online media, al-Shabaab claimed the responsibility for the attack.
