The United Nations and African Union missions in Somalia on Sunday condemned the twin explosions in the southern town of Baidoa that killed at least 22 people and wounded over 30 others on Saturday evening. In separate statements, the UN and AU missions in Somalia said Saturday’s twin blasts on Beder Restaurant and Bilan Hotel will not derail efforts to stabilise Somalia. The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) sent condolences to families and relatives who lost their loved ones and wished a quick recovery to the injured. “As the state readies to hold elections for the regional presidency next month, such senseless attacks on the people are a deliberate attempt by terrorists to curtail political progress,” said the AU mission. The first blast occurred at a busy restaurant where a suicide bomber below himself up and after few minutes a similar attack struck Bilan Hotel in the centre of the town, killing more than six people. Islamist militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying its fighters killed at least 20 people. The insurgents said they targeted an army barrack and a hotel owned by former finance minister. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said arbitrary targeting of innocent Somalis will not achieve any political agenda for perpetrators. “No political agenda can be served by the random and indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians,” said the UN mission. Meanwhile, President Mohamed Abdulahi Farmajo has condemned the attacks and wished speedy recovery to the victims. Farmajo also ordered relevant ministries to immediately provide medical assistance to the victims of the terror attacks in Baidoa. He sent his condolences to the families and relatives of those killed in the attack, calling on the Somali people to stand up for the families of the victims of the terror attacks. “I send my condolences to all families and relatives of those who lost their lives and injured al-Shabab terrorist group,” said the president. He vowed to enhance security order to thwart any terror incidences posed by the militant group which has engaged the government in nearly daily attacks. The attacks came after two years of relative calm in Baidoa town considered as the economic hub of the Horn of Africa nation. The latest attack took place as local leaders were due to bold elections for the regional presidency next month. Among the candidates who have expressed their intention to vie for the presidency is former al-Shabab deputy commander Mukhtar Robow. The Somali government has however barred Robow from running for public office in the country. Robow abandoned the group six years ago due to ideological differences Xinhua
