PRESS STATEMENT 10/2016

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in Somalia Michael Keating has strongly condemned today’s suicide bombing attack in the city of Gaalkacyo that killed seven people including two children. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the incident, which targeted a senior official in the Finance Ministry of the Puntland government. The attack occurred just days after Puntland security forces inflicted a heavy defeat on al-Shabaab militants who had tried to infiltrate the area.

“Al-Shabaab have once again demonstrated their brutality, attacking unarmed civilians,” said SRSG Keating. “I share Somalis’ revulsion at this behavior. It will do nothing to weaken the resolve of Somali authorities and their international partners to defeat these ruthless terrorists”.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of the victims.”

The SRSG also extended his condolences to the families of two foreign teachers and four high school students who died in a drive-by shooting in a Mogadishu neighborhood on the evening of 30 March. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the shooting.

“The Turkish and Azerbaijani teachers who died in last night’s shooting came to Somalia to share their knowledge and expertise with the young people of this country,” he said. “Their loss is a tragedy for their friends and colleagues as well as the many students who drew inspiration from the teachers’ exemplary dedication.”