UNSC Urges Prevention of Financing Al-Shabaab, Other Terrorist Group In Somalia
The members of the UN Security Council stressed on Monday in a statement the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of Al-Shabaab, and any other terrorist group in Somalia.
The French-led Council, condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack perpetrated by Al-Shabaab on the Nasa Hablod Hotel, Mogadishu.
The assault, the latest in a series by the Islamist group targeting hotels and restaurants, began when a suicide bomber detonated a car laden with explosives outside the building.
Gunmen then stormed the Naasa Hablood hotel and gunfire rang out for several hours, witnesses said, before the authorities declared the attack over.
In their statement, the Council members expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Somalia, wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
Reaffirming once again that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, the 15-member body underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.
The members of the Security Council stressed in their statement that “those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and 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 Council reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter 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 statement noted that the Council members paid tribute to all Somali and international actors working to bring peace and stability in Somalia, reiterating their determination to support the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia.
However, the Council members underlined that neither this nor any other terrorist attack would weaken that determination.
“The attack started with a heavy blast carried out by a brother who drove a car loaded with explosives. Gunmen fought their way into the hotel, and we believe that casualties were inflicted in the enemy’s ranks,” Al-Shabaab said.
Among those killed in the attacked were three Goobjoog news staff.
Source: KUNA, Goobjoog News