IGAD says terror attacks won’t deter efforts to stabilize Somalia

East Africa’s bloc on Friday condemned a suicide car bomb attack at a Mogadishu hotel on Thursday, saying such attacks will not prevent efforts aimed at stabilizing Somalia.

In a statement received in Nairobi, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) also slammed Al-Shabaab for their cowardly act of terror at the SYL Hotel where the Turkish delegates were meeting ahead of a visit by their President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Somali capital.

“Even though five people including three members of the security forces lost their precious lives as a result of the criminal act, it will not be able to stop the Al-Shabaab’s downhill journey to the dustbin of history,” IGAD said in the statement.

The regional bloc said the Somali government and its people were determined to rebuild their long suffering homeland, noting that the whole world is in solidarity with them.

“Somalia has established a federal government, a functioning parliament, and security and defense forces. Its vibrant markets are back and schools and health facilities are offering their services proving that war, violence and terror that reigned over this beautiful land for more than two decades are indeed fading away,” IGAD said.

A car loaded with explosives rammed into the gate of SYL hotel in Mogadishu on Thursday, killing five people. No Turkish nationals were among the fatalities.

Al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying Turkish officials were targeted. The Turkish authorities said they are investigating whether the attack was a deliberate attack on the country’s interests.

Erdogan, who was on Thursday in Ethiopia at the start of a three-day tour of the Horn of Africa, has delayed his trip to attend the funeral of Saudi King King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

IGAD said the insurgents’ latest act of terror at the SYL Hotel was meant to discourage international events from taking place in Somalia.

“But they should be aware that they have failed dismally in this as the IGAD Council of Ministers meeting was hosted by the Federal Government of Somalia only two weeks ago,” the statement said.

“Al-Shabaab has also not been able to stop the preparations to receive President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey,” it added.

Source : Xinhua