Sunday, May 02, 2010
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The African Union envoy to Somalia on Saturday condemned the killings of innocent civilians in the war-infested capital, Mogadishu.In a statement issued in Nairobi, the special representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, condemned the attack of the day. At least 30 civilians were killed and more than 70 injured in two bomb explosions targeting a mosque in the city's Bakara Market.
"Ambassador Diarra condemns in the strongest terms possible today (Saturday's) attack and all attacks targeting public places especially those of worship such as the mosque," the statement said.
Reports say Saturday's attack occurred in the Abdalla Shideye mosque which is often used by al Shabaab officials to deliver speeches. It is not far from the Abu Hureya mosque where a landmine killed one person on Tuesday.
A senior member of the al-Shabab militia was reportedly the target. Fuad Mohamed Khalaf, known as Fuad Shongole, was said to have been injured.
"Indiscriminate attacks on public places like today's incident cannot be condoned. I, on behalf of the African Union would like to call upon all warring parties in the Somali Conflict to stop such barbaric attacks on innocent civilian population," Diarra said.
The AU special representative condoled the families and relatives of those who have lost their lives and prayed for quick recovery of those injured during this incident.
"The African Union is closely monitoring and assessing the impact of today's attack on the mosque in the Bakara neighborhood, " the AU envoy said.
Diarra said it was regrettable to note that while the AU and its partners are investing huge resources to help the country achieve sustainable peace and security, killing of innocent civilians continues as various groups target public places in the conflict.
The Horn of African nation has been wracked by civil conflict since 1991. The hardline Islamists have in the recent years taken control of large parts of southern Somalia.
The main al-Shabab group says it is fighting the weak UN- backed government to make Somalia an Islamic state.
The transitional government, which controls only parts of the capital with the help of African peacekeepers, also wants Islamic law imposed, but al-Shabab's interpretation of Sharia has been very strict.
Source: Xinhua