PRESS RELEASE 011/2009

Nairobi, 27 March 2009: The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has strongly condemned those responsible for the roadside blast which wounded Somalia’s Interior Minister, Sheikh Abdulkadir Ali Omar, and killed one of his assistants.

 “I am shocked by this attack on the Interior Minister and his entourage,” said Mr Ould-Abdallah. “The Minister was walking in a populated area in Bakara Market. This is a cowardly act which has been widely condemned inside and outside Somalia.

 “Those who carried out the attack clearly know there is absolutely no justification and that is why they have not made themselves known. They previously claimed to be fighting to get the Ethiopian troops out of Somalia and now they have turned against their own people.”

He said the new administration led by President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was working hard to improve security, raise resources and help Somalis lead a normal life like people in other African countries.

 “Attacks such as these are clearly aimed at trying to stain the country’s reputation. However the new Government has the support of the majority of Somalis as well as the international community. The country is on the road towards peace and will not be thrown off course by these actions.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For more information please contact: Susannah Price or Donna Cusumano,

Public Information Officers, UN Political Office for Somalia (Nairobi, Kenya)Tel: +254 20 762 1192/1625 or +254 733902020/737400133 Please visit: www.UN-Somalia.org

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