UN chief, Security Council strongly condemn attack on Turkish staff building in Somalia

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the members of the Security Council have strongly condemned the suicide attack on an office housing Turkish embassy staff in Mogadishu, which resulted in one death and left several other people wounded.

“The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the 27 July 2013 terrorist attack on the office housing Turkish personnel in Mogadishu,” according to a statement by Mr. Ban's spokesperson in New York.

He also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Turkey and its Government, as well as to the Somali people.

“His thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured,” Mr. Ban's spokesperson said.

In the statement, Mr. Ban added that “terrorist attacks of this nature should not deter Somalia's partners or weaken their resolve to stand by the people and Government of Somalia as they work courageously to build peace in their country.”

The members of the Security Council, strongly condemning the attack against one of the main buildings of the Turkish embassy in Mogadishu, also condemned recurring acts of violence against diplomatic and consular representatives, “which endanger or take innocent lives and seriously impede the normal work if such representatives and officials.”

In their statement, the Council members reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of this act to justice,” the statement said, and added that the Council members reaffirmed their support for the political process and for peace and stability in Somalia.

Also condemning the attack, Nicholas Kay, Mr. Ban's Special Representative for Somalia and head of the UN Assistance Mission in the country (UNSOM) noted that this attack is one of several that the Islamic insurgent group Al Shabaab has carried out during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.