Statement by the Government of Somalia on the murder of the National Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden

MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 19,

The Government of Somalia condemns in the strongest possible terms the cowardly murder of Colonel Omar Hashi Aden, the Minister of National Security, in a suicide attack carried out by extremist forces today.The assassination of Colonel Hashi was clearly intended to try to disrupt the successful peace process aimed at restoring stability to Somalia after two decades of conflict. However these bloody murderers will not succeed.The extremists have already failed in their attempt to overthrow the Government through force due to the ongoing successful military operations in which Colonel Hashi played a key role. Their fighters, who include several foreigners, have now resorted to the most cowardly form of violence. The Government is undeterred by such acts of desperation and will continue its work towards restoring peace and defeating the enemies of Somalia and the region. It calls on all peace loving Somalis to join the condemnation of the assassination of Colonel Hashi and the many other innocent civilians and community leaders who were killed and injured in the attack and to continue to support peace efforts.Colonel Hashi was a patriotic leader did not leave Somalia and remained true to his vision of a country free from conflict.The Government sends its deepest condolences to the family of Colonel Hashi as well as to the relatives of all the other innocent people who were killed or injured in the suicide bombing which took place outside a hotel in Beletweyne.
The Government will carry out a thorough investigation into this attack and will look into the identity and nationality of the suicide bomber.
SOURCE
Government of Somalia