UN envoy condemns murder of former Somalia trade minister

The top United Nations political envoy in Somalia has condemned the murder of a former trade minister in the capital, Mogadishu, and called on the authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The former minister and current member of parliament, Mohamed Abdinur Garweyne, was killed and at least six others wounded by a car bomb attack in front of the Bin Ali Hotel in the capital’s Hamarweyne neighbourhood yesterday. The attack was allegedly carried out by the Islamist insurgent group known as Al-Shabaab.

In a statement, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, said that this “cowardly” attack will not be allowed to derail the ongoing peace process.

“As the transitional period draws to a close we must all redouble our efforts to ensure that the Somalis seize this golden opportunity for peace and stability,” he added.

After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country’s Transitional Federal Institutions currently implementing the so-called Roadmap for the End of Transition in Somalia.

Devised in September last year, the plan spells out priority measures to be carried out before the current transitional governing arrangements end on 20 August.