Friday August 10, 2018
MOGADISHU (HOL) - African Union has strongly condemned Al-Shabaab's barbaric attack on a mosque in Somalia's capital.
Hitsquad belonging to Somalia's terrorist group, Al-Shabaab, attacked worshippers last Saturday evening, during ‘Maqrib’ prayers and shot one person before escaping with his gun.
In a press statement, the AU Special Representative for Somalia, Francisco Caetano Madeira said he was dismayed at sacrilegious act by Al-Shabaab militants.
“....Francisco Caetano Madeira condemned the recent brazen attack on a Mosque. The attack confirms that Al-Shabaab has neither respect for Islam, whose teachings abhor the shedding of innocent blood, nor for holy places of worship,” the statement reads in part.
AU envoy also denounced wanton killings and abductions of young children by the terror group.
Ambassador Madeira noted that the killings targeting defenceless children and youth had all the hallmarks of the terror group.
“They have descended to the lowest point. They are desperate and are seeking to make headlines by such despicable acts,” Mr. Madeira remarked.
He expressed concern over the increase of drive-by shootings on innocent hardworking youth.
“Somalia is losing some of its most resourceful people through these killings” he stated.
He reiterated AMISOM’s commitment to work with the Somali security forces and other partners, to put an end to the indiscriminate killings; and the wanton attacks on mosques, hotels, and other social places.