Sierra Leone News

The InterGovernmental Agency on Development

The League of Arab States

The United Nations

Nairobi 18 June 2009: The African Union, the Intergovernmental Agency on

Development, the League of Arab States and the United Nations all strongly condemn

today’s horrific suicide car bombing in Beledweyne which killed the Security Minister

Omar Hashi Aden along with community leaders and other innocent Somalis.

This deplorable attack once again demonstrates that the extremists will stop at nothing in

their desperate attempt to seize power from the legitimate Government of Somalia by

force. These extremists, both Somali and foreigners, failed in their recent coup d’état but

are continuing their indiscriminate violence. They are a threat not only to the country, but

to the IGAD region and the international community.

We urge the Government not to be deterred by the violent crimes of a small minority and

to continue its efforts for peace and reconciliation through the Djibouti Process. The

Somali people, both inside and outside the country, are yearning for peace and they

must not be denied. Swift investigation is needed to identify the names and nationalities

of the suicide bomber/s behind this assassination.

The AU, IGAD, LAS and UN sent their sincere condolences to the family and friends of

Minister Hashi and the other victims of this cowardly suicide bombing as well as to the

Government and the people of Somalia. We pledge our full support to the Government

particularly at this critical time and call for all Somalis to rally behind their Government

and all those who are working for peace and stability. We also call on the international

community to put its firm support behind Somalia’s legal and legitimate Government.

For more information please contact: Susannah Price or Donna Cusumano,

Public Information Officers, UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya)

Tel: +254 20 762 1192/1625 or +254 733902020/737400133

Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org