New York – The Secretary-General is appalled by the bombings yesterday in front of the Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu. He expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and wishes those injured a swift recovery.

The Secretary-General pays tribute to the Somali security forces, which reacted quickly to restore order and incurred several casualties in the explosions, and to AMISOM which supported them.

The Secretary-General is determined to support the Somali Government in preventing such attacks and holding the perpetrators accountable. These acts of terrorism against the Government and people of Somalia will not detract from the significant progress made in Somalia. In this new year, the Secretary-General strongly affirms his undeterred resolve to support the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali people in strengthening state institutions and furthering peace and security.