Somali PM approves minister resignation
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed has confirmed resignation of his security minister in the wake of al-Shabab’s deadly attack on the parliament building in the capital Mogadishu, which killed at least 10 people.
“I confirm that I have approved the resignation letter from the minister of the security. He has taken great share of serving the nation,” Abdiweli said on Sunday.
Somalia’s National Security Minister Abdikarim Guled resigned on Saturday after being criticized for not doing enough to defuse a spate of attacks launched by the al-Shabab militants.
The assailants detonated two bombs as they tried to break into the parliament compound on Saturday.
Heavy gunfire rang out following the massive explosions, while lawmakers were inside the building.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voiced “outrage” over the attack.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also denounced the raid, expressing “solidarity and support” for the legislators.
“There can be no justification for such attacks,” Ban said.
Al-Shabab has conducted similar attacks in Mogadishu, including those targeting the city’s main court complex and the presidential palace.
Somalia has been gripped by deadly violence, including attacks against aid workers in the past months.
Back in June 2013, fighters loyal to the al-Shabab group attacked a fortified UN compound in central Mogadishu. The assault left more than 15 people dead.
Al-Shabab fighters have been pushed out of Mogadishu and other major towns in Somalia by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which is made up of troops from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Sierra Leone and Kenya.
Somalia did not have an effective central government from 1991 to August 2012. In September 2012, Somali lawmakers elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the new president of Somalia.
presstv.com