IGAD condemns terrorist attacks in East Africa

Monday, May, 26, 2014

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NAIROBI -- The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Monday condemned terrorist attacks in the East African region which have claimed more lives and injuries including destruction of property.

IGAD Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim said the attacks in Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti by suspected Al-Shabaab militants "constitutes a cowardly and intolerable act."

"These attacks by terrorist groups that are indiscriminately targeting innocent civilians and elected member of parliaments will impact in no way our support to the governments of these countries for a stable and peaceful environment in our region," Maalim said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

At least three people were killed including a male and female suicide bomber, and 15 wounded in last Saturday's attack on a restaurant popular with foreigners in central Djibouti.

Djibouti's ADI news agency said the attackers were from Somalia, where Djiboutian troops are part of an African Union force fighting Al-Shabaab rebels.

On the same Saturday, at least seven people were killed and more than 10 others injured after a suicide car bomb went off outside Somali parliament in Mogadishu followed by heavy exchanges of gunfire.

Witnesses said that the car bomb sped into the gate before it exploded outside parliament building where lawmakers were holding meeting.

Two police officers at the gate of parliament were killed while several others including civilian passers-by were injured.

The above incidents came after ten people were injured and more than 80 others injured multiple explosions in Nairobi's biggest open-air market on May 16 while two civilians including a policeman were injured in Mombasa last week.

Maalim expressed deep condolences to families of the victims as well as the people and governments of Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia.

"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a cowardly and intolerable act. He stated IGAD will continue to stand firmly behind governments of the region to combat it," Maalim said.

"IGAD is committed to combating terrorism and working towards a violence-free region," he added.

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