Deadly suicide bombings at a prominent restaurant in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, has killed at least 15 people.
Reports say two suicide bombers targeted a restaurant in Mogadishu, killing and wounded scores of civilians, including journalists and police officers.
According to media reports, the attack comes as Somali government troops are advancing on the port of Kismayo, the key stronghold of the Islamist group Al-shabaab.
Today, the Security Council has expressed strong condemnation of the yesterday’s bombings in Mogadishu.
Security Council says it is “deplorable” and that Somalis are being targeted after the important gains made in recent weeks in completing the country’s transition.
The attacks were condemned as “cowardly and senseless” by the top United Nations envoy in Somalia.
“After Somalia has taken such an important step in completing the transition, it is deplorable that ordinary Somalis have again been targeted by those who do not wish to see a more peaceful Somalia.” -Security Concil
The 15-member body adds that the members of the Council underline their resolve to support Somalia in its efforts for peace and reconciliation
Council members also extended their condolences to the victims and their families as well.
One week after the historic selection of a new leader in war-torn Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was inaugurated in the capital of Mogadishu last week.
Reports say Mohamud won the election against outgoing President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed by the legislative vote of 190 to 79.
The inauguration ceremony was reportedly participated by prominent regional leaders including the PM of Ethiopia and president of Djibouti.
The top United Nations envoy in Somalia hailed the inauguration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as a “new era” for the war-scarred nation.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) Augustine P. Mahiga
also UN’s continued support to help Somalia move forward.
The inauguration of the new President marks the end of the transitional period and the beginning of a “new era” for a country that has been engulfed with turmoil over several decades.
As the process moves forward, the UN Political Office for Somalia highlighted that it will continue to stand with the President in addressing instability and insecurity in the contry.
Reports say, the new President has survived a deadly attack on a hotel in Mogadishu, where he was giving a press conference after his election.
Earlier this month, Somalia’s Parliament has elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as a new president of the country.
International community considered the selection of a new leader Somalis as a key step toward Somalia’s political transition process.
Reports say Hassan Sheikh Mohamud a political newcomer won the election against outgoing President Sheik Sharif Sheikh Ahmed by the legislative vote of 190 to 79.
In 2011, Mohamud reportedly organized a new political party in Somalia named Peace and Development.
Somalia has been in constant wars for past two past decades since the collapse of the Somali state in January 21, 1991. Millions of lives were lost and countless number of people had been internally displaced.
Somalia is the country worst affected by a severe drought that has ravaged large swaths of the Horn of Africa, leaving an estimated 11 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
