Ethiopia, AU, UN condemn terror attack on Southern Somalia leader

Ethiopia Friday strongly condemned the terror attack on Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islam ‘Madobe’, leader of the Interim Jubba Administration in Southern Somalia, and his motorcade by Al Shabaab rebels.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, the incident occurred Thursday in Kismayu.

An explosive-laden car hit Sheikh Madobe’s motorcade shortly after his arrival from Mogadishu, where he held talks with Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mahammud and Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon regarding the proposed reconciliation conference for the Jubba communities.

His convoy was driving into the palace when the attack took place, killing some 20 people including civilians and security guards, while dozens more were wounded.

The ministry described the attack as an act of desperation aimed at derailing the peace process between Jubba and the Federal Government of Somalia.

Meanwhile, AU Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Mr. Nicolas Kay, have also condemned the attack.

Kay said: “Ahmed Madobe is a key partner in the search for peace and reconciliation in Somalia. It is reprehensible that he would become a target for extremist violence at a time when he is playing a key role in state building and peace building.”