United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and members of the Security Council strongly condemned the terrorist attack at the Central Hotel in Mogadishu, during Friday prayers, which resulted in the death and injury of many innocent Somalis, including government officials and Members of Parliament.
In a phone call to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia, Ban expressed his deepest condolences to the Government of Somalia and the families of those killed, and wished the injured swift recovery, said a statement by his press office, released late on Friday.
The Secretary General paid tribute to the Somali security forces, who brought the situation under control.
Furthermore, Ban reaffirmed the UN strong resolve to continue supporting the people and Government of Somalia, who are working to rebuild peace and prosperity in their country.
The terrorist attacks cannot deter the collective will of the Somali people to move forward, or the commitment of the United Nations, he said.
On their part, the Security Council strongly condemned the attacks, perpetrated by Al-Shabaab, and expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, many of whom were gathered for Friday prayers, as well as to the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
In a separate statement released Friday, the Security Council also wished a speedy recovery to those injured. They also paid tribute to the swift response and courage of the Somali National Security Forces in responding to this attack, and reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed. The UNSC member States reiterated determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the UN, and underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law, and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Somali authorities in this regard.
On their behalf, the 15 member body reminded in the statement, States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international humanitarian law and refugee law. The members of the Security Council reiterated their support to all actors working towards more peace and stability in Somalia, including both UNSOM (United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia) and AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia).