Condemning Lethal Attack on UN Mogadishu Compound, Outraged Secretary-General Vows

It Will Neither Deter Organization nor Weaken Resolve to Stand by Somalia

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns and is outraged by today’s violent attack on the United Nations Common Compound in Mogadishu, in which United Nations humanitarian and development workers reside and work.  The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life in the United Nations family, its contractors and among Somalis.  Among the fatalities at the United Nations compound, we can confirm at this time that among those killed are one international staff member, three contractors and four Somali security guards.  A number of Somali civilians were also wounded and killed outside the compound.  Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those killed, injured and affected.

The Secretary-General expresses his sincere appreciation to the Federal Government of Somalia and the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for their immediate responses to secure the area and protect United Nations personnel.  He also commends United Nations security guards who bravely engaged the assailants after they entered the compound following the detonation of a car bomb at its entrance.

Malicious terrorist attacks of this nature will not deter the United Nations or weaken its resolve to stand by the people and Government of Somalia as they work courageously to build peace in their country.

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For information media • not an official record