IGAD strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) condemns, in the strongest terms, the terrorist attack carried out by the terrorist group Al Shabab on the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu.

The attack which occurred on the evening of the 8th of July, 2014 was repulsed by the gallant members of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the African Union Peace Keepers.

It is a great relief to our region and indeed to all peace loving people all over the world that H.E. President Hasan Sheikh Mahmud, who was not in the Palace during the attack, was unharmed. Though the Prime Minister of the Republic, and the Speaker of Parliament were in the palace during the attack, they too were showing the effective defence of the premises.

IGAD applauds the Somali Armed forces and the AU peace keepers for their commendable efficiency and commitment in effectively defending the Palace.

This attack occurred when the people and Government of Somalia have shown the world that the era of violence and war that engulfed the country for over twenty years has finally come to an end, even if sporadic acts of terror do happen occasionally.

IGAD urges all peace loving people the world over to condemn the terrorist attack of the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu.