Photos: @MoIFARSomalia|Twitter
New York/Mogadishu: The United Nations Security Council have condemned in the “strongest possible terms” the terrorist attack by Al-Shabaab in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu that took place on October 29, 2022.
At least 100 people including United Nations staff, as well as the Government and people of Somalia, were killed and more than 300 were injured in twin car bombings claimed by Al-Shabaab Islamists, at a time when the Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and leaders of the federal member states were meeting to examine ongoing offensive actions against the terror outfit.
The explosions near the education ministry building were at the same location where a lorry had exploded in October 2017, killing 587 people. President Mohamud declared an all-out war against the terrorists and announced stepping up the offensive against Al-Shabaab. Somalia’s Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs & Reconciliation stated that Al- Shabab’s war wasn’t religious and it wasn’t political. “Their cruel and desperate actions aimed at destroying the people of Somalia, will not go unpublished,” it stated.
In a statement issued by Council President Harold Adlai Agyeman of Ghana, the 15-member Security Council on November 1, 2022 (local time), expressed its “deepest sympathy and condolences” to the families of the victims, and the people of Somalia and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
The members welcomed the efforts of the government of Somalia with support from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to counter the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and urged Somalia leaders to work together in the fight against terrorism.
The UNSC further underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.
Reiterating that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, the members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. They stressed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
The UNSC further underlined the importance of preserving the security gains achieved in Somalia and encouraging Member States to increase the support provided to ATMIS, to enable it to continue to effectively discharge its mandate, and to the Somalia Security Forces, to support the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan.
They reaffirmed their respect for the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Somalia.
– global bihari bureau
