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East African bloc vows to stabilize Somalia despite increased attacks

Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

An African regional bloc on Monday condemned the Al-Shabaab terror attack on Sunday that killed 15 people in Somalia and vowed to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) pledged all-out efforts to bring lasting peace, stability and economic development in the country.

"IGAD condemns in the strongest terms possible the Al-Shabab terror attack of Sunday that killed innocent citizens and injured others in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia," it said in a statement.

"This atrocious terror attack which was targeting Somalia's new military chief is a failure that once again showed Al-Shabaab terror group's disrespect for human life and civilians' protection," the bloc added.

IGAD said the terror group is bent on destroying every gain realized by "this long suffering nation that heroically overcame two decades of war and destruction."

The bloc regretted that the militants are still causing much harm despite being weeded out of most areas by the Somalia national forces and the AU forces, and even after being downgraded to the level of "roaming murderers."

The East Africa bloc that spearheaded efforts to establish the Somali government offered it condolences to the government and the people of Somalia.

Somalia's new army chief Ahmed Mohamed Jimale Irfid survived the suicide car bomb attack that killed at least 15 people near his convoy in Mogadishu. Senior defense ministry officials had just passed the scene a few minutes ago.

The Al-Shabaab militant group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The insurgents have increased their attacks since Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed declared an all-out war with the group and gave the them 60 days to surrender. Endit