Somalia: UN condemns second deadly terrorist attack in less than a week

The top United Nations official in Somalia today condemned the latest terrorist attack to hit the African country's capital city of Mogadishu leaving a number of people dead and many more injured.

According to initial reports, a car bomb – the second in less than a week – detonated outside a popular restaurant in Mogadishu on the evening of 15 October killing at least 5 people.

In a statement, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, strongly condemned the attack and urged a quick response to bring the perpetrators to justice “swiftly.”

“I am appalled by the complete disregard for the lives of ordinary Somalis, including children and passers-by,” Mr. Kay said.

“Such crimes violate the most basic principles of humanity.”

On 13 October, another attack left an estimated 13 people dead raising concerns about the impact such terrorist acts might have on the country's tenuous peace.

Although Somalia has long been torn by factional fighting and the spread of militant religious fanaticism in the guise of Al-Shabaab, recent military gains against the terrorist group have permitted the Federal Government of Somalia, with the assistance of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), to pursue a peace and state building agenda and to strengthen the country's security sector, promote respect for human rights and women's empowerment and assist in the coordination of international assistance.

“The United Nations remains determined in our support for the Somali people as they work to realise their hope for a peaceful and stable future,” added Mr. Kay.