Somalia: SRSG Appalled by Mortar Attack on UN, AMISOM Mogadishu Compounds

PRESS STATEMENT

Mogadishu –The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, James Swan, condemned today’s indirect fire attack on the United Nations and AMISOM compounds in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

At about 1:15 (local time) this afternoon, mortar rounds landed inside the UN and AMISOM facilities, injuring several people.

“I am appalled by this blatant act of terrorism against our personnel, who work together with the Somali people on humanitarian, peace building, and development issues. Thankfully, the majority of our staff is unhurt. I wish our wounded colleagues a full recovery from their injuries,” said Mr. Swan. “There is no justification for such despicable acts of violence, and the United Nations remains determined to support Somalia on its path to peace, stability and development.”

No organization has yet claimed responsibility for this attack.

Abdiaziz Jama Aden

Email: Samater2013@gmail.com

Skype: Abdiasiis47

Somaliland: 136 Die, over 2500 Injured in Car Accidents in 2019 Report

Somaliland Traffic Police Commander Lieutenant Colonel Khadar Jama Elmi revealed that 136 people were killed, 2549 others injured in car accidents in the first nine months of 2019.

The Commander, speaking to SAAB TV, decried the poor road sense reckless drivers show – more often than not.

“Young drivers mostly cause these accidents. The majority of those involved in accidents are found to have little or no knowledge of road signs and less of a requisite sense seasoned motorist develop over the years,” he said.

Lieutenant-colonel Khadar added that, also, 126 heads of livestock have been killed in accidents, 61 lamp posts hit, and 45 buildings or kiosks damaged or destroyed.

“A combination of reckless habits including talking on mobiles while driving, high speed, crowded streets and over-flowing sidewalks add to the very poor civic sense of most drivers,” he added.

The Commander promised severe punishment for errant drivers.

“We urge that drivers learn how to save people whether they be riding with him or in another vehicle or walking by. That must have been topmost in their education. But, as it happens, most young drivers learn how to drive automatic transmission vehicles putting a hand on a steering wheel and a foot on the pedal. That is all they have ever been told,” he said.

Only on Saturday, 15 people were killed, 11 more injured outside the port city of Berbera in a grizzly accident involving a speeding Khat-transporting truck and an over-loaded 8-seater Noah minivan on its way to Bossasso, Puntland federal state of Somalia. Almost all the dead were Ethiopian nationals on their way to the Puntland coastal city.

Abdiaziz Jama Aden

Email: Samater2013@gmail.com

Skype: Abdiasiis47

Foreign Minister is currently in Eritrea- Eritrea Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel

The local media reports the Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohamed arrives Mogadishu on Friday after his visit to Somaliland last week.

The Eritrean Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel has told the Horn Diplomat, denies minister Saleh visit to Mogadishu on yesterday.

“Foreign Minister is currently in Eritrea, so the news is not correct.When visits happen,we announce them. Of course he had visited Mogadishu before and I am sure there will be visits in the future.”Said Yemane G. Meskel Eritrea Information Minister

Meanwhile,The Eritrean Foreign Minister attended Public seminars on current developments,progress of the peace process with Ethiopia and GOE developement programmes and priorities in 2019 were held in the central, south Gash Barca and Southern Redsea regions on Yesterday.

On march 19,Senior Eritrean delegation comprising Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Presidential Advisor Mr. Yemane Gebreab are on a working visit to Somaliland.

The delegation met and held talks with Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi who expressed appreciation for the initiative Eritrea took. The President also briefed the delegation on the objective situation in the Somaliland and its stance on various issues