Mogadishu, 30 January 2015 - Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) urges Somali institutions to work together to rapidly conclude the cabinet appointment process and focus their attention on the country’s stabilization and reconstruction.

January 23, 2015 2015, Djibouti: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) condemns, in the strongest terms possible, the Al Shabab's cowardly act of terror committed on January 22, 2015 at the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu, the capital of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Even though five people including three members of the Security Forces lost their precious lives as a result of the criminal act, it will not be able to stop the Al Shabab's downhill journey to the dust bin of history.

The Government and people of Somalia are determined to rebuild their long suffering homeland and the whole world is in solidarity with them. Somalia has established a federal government, a functioning parliament, and security and defense forces. Its vibrant markets are back and schools and health facilities are offering their services proving that war, violence and terror that reigned over this beautiful land for more than two decades are indeed fading away.

Alshabab's latest act of terror at the SYL Hotel, among other things, was meant to discourage international events from taking place in Somalia. But they should be aware that they have failed dismally in this as the IGAD Council of Ministers meeting was hosted by the Federal Government of Somalia only two weeks ago. Al shabab has also not been able to stop the preparations to receive H.E President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey.

IGAD commends the heroic members of the Security Forces who have paid the ultimate price, their lives, in defence of their beloved homeland against terrorism and offers its condolences to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the families of those gallant martyrs who perished in this senseless act of violence. ###

IGAD takes this opportunity to congratulate the People of South West State of Somalia in the conclusion of the recent conference. We congratulate the Federal Government of Somalia and the President of the interim administration of South West State, H.E. Hon. Shariff Hassan.

On 13 October, a High-level delegation from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) visited Puntland State of Somalia to hold bilateral discussions and also witness the signing of a landmark agreement with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). The delegation was led by Amb. Mohamed Affey, IGAD’s Special Envoy for Somalia and included Ato Daniel Yifru, IGAD’s Senior Peace and Security Adviser, and Also Nuur Mohamud Sheekh, Senior Political Officer.