Security Council condemns attack on diplomats in Somalia

The UN Security Council condemned on Thursday an attack on a humanitarian convoy carrying diplomats from the United Arab Emirates in Somalia.

A car bomb targeting a bulletproof vehicle carrying diplomats from the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday killed at least 14 people, including four Somali soldiers, in Mogadishu. Local officials said the Emiratis were unharmed.

In a statement, the members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the people and governments of Somalia and the United Arab Emirates.

They condemned acts of violence against diplomatic and consular representatives, which endanger or take innocent lives and seriously impede the normal work of such representatives and officials, the statement said.

Noting that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, the Council members said any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed.

They underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law, and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Somali authorities in this regard, said the statement.

Al-Shabab is a jihadist terrorist group based in Somalia. In 2012, it pledged allegiance to the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda. Endite