Excellency and Dear Brother, It is with deep shock and grief that I learnt of the sad news of the dreadful terrorist attacks of October 14, 2017, which targeted innocent civilians in Mogadishu killing dozens of people and injuring many more.
I wish to express our deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to your Excellency and through you to the families of the victims as well as the people and Federal Government of Somalia. I also wish speedy recovery to the injured.
Further, I also wish to assure the Government and people of Somalia of IGAD’s full solidarity in these difficult circumstances and reiterate our readiness to support Somalia to combat terrorism through the existing regional and continental mechanisms.
I appeal to the international community to renew its commitment to defeat terrorist groups, whose only agenda is to cause havoc, destruction and death, by providing the necessary support to the Somalia National Army (SNA) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Finally, the growing spate of attacks by Al Shabaab behooves all political leaders to cast aside their differences and stand united as patriots. I therefore urge leaders at all levels to adhere to the respect for the institutions, constitution, laws, and customs of Somalia. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
H.E. MOHAMED ABDULLAHI MOHAMED PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA MOGADISHU