Mogadishu – The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, today condemned an attack on the headquarters of the Somali government in Mogadishu.

“This is another desperate and criminal act which does nothing but harm to the people of Somalia”said Kay, after speaking to the Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.

“The Somali people are tired of shootings, bombings and killings. It’s time for a new chapter in Somalia’s history and we cannot allow a slide back at this critical time”, he added. He paid tribute to Somali and AMISOM security forces whose professionalism thwarted the attack.

“The UN and the international community remain steadfast in their determination to see a new Somalia rise, and continue to support Somalia in its quest to stabilize and rebuild institutions,” Kay said.