By Targeting Graduating Doctors, the Terrorists Passed a Red Line

Media Release

“Innaa Lillaahi, Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raajicuun”

“To God We are From, and To Him We Shall Return”

(Villa Somalia, Mogadishu – Somalia; December 3, 2009)

Terrorists staged this morning a cowardly terrorist act in the Somali capital Mogadishu. This horrendous act caused the death of 15 victims including three Cabinet Ministers.

46 other victims were also injured in this morning’s suicide bombing at Hotel Shamo.

The victims of this terrorist act were taking part in a graduation ceremony for Somali doctors who graduated from Banadir University. The barbarity of this terror act reveals the evil nature of Alshabab and Al Qaeda.

The President of Somali Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said in a statement that, “the cold-blooded murder of the victims would only strengthen the resolve of the Somali people and the Somali government.”

The three martyred Ministers were the Minister of Health Qamar Aden Ali, Minister of Higher Education Ibrahim Ahmed Adou, Minister of Education Ahmed Abdullahi Waayeel.

The Ministers were welcoming new batch of doctors proudly produced by Banadir Somali University, “they were clearly discharging noble duties in the service of our people.” The President said in a media statement.

President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed further added that, “the legacy of these national heroes will live forever in the hearts of the Somali people.”

The President declared three days of mourning and the lowering of the national flag.

The Minister of Sports and Youth, Saleebaan Olad Roble, also sustained injuries. The Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali-Sharmarke said in another statement that he “wishes quick recovery for the Minister and the many other innocent victims.”

Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali-Sharmarke further added that his government “is certain that the terrorists will be eradicated from Somalia and the perpetrators if this terrorist act will be brought to justice.”

The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia sends its deeply felt condolences to the families of the martyrs, their colleagues, their friends and to the entire Somali people.

The evil intentions and the desperate nature of the perpetrators is apparent from their plan to destroy not only our people, as exemplified by the parents and the University staff , but the hope we wish to build through our youth, and our endeavour for transfer of knowledge and the life skills of medicine by our few professors and medical educators.

The government calls on the Somali people and particularly the security forces to intensify their nation-building efforts.

Prime Minister Sharmarke added that, “Al Qaeda’s terror campaign in Somalia has gone on for a long time and their latest cowardly act proves that the terrorists passed a red line.”

The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia calls on the international community and the friends of Somalia to stand with us in our struggle to resist Al Qaeda and its evil offshoots.

God Bless Somalia.

Contact: Hassan M. Khalif

Head of External Relations,

Office of the Somali President

hkhalif@sompresidency.org