Addis Ababa, 15 October 2017: The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemns in the strongest terms the attack that killed scores of innocent civilians and wounded many more in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The Chairperson of the Commission expresses the AU’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to the injured. He conveys the AU’s solidarity with the Government and people of Somalia, at this particularly challenging situation.

The Chairperson of the Commission calls on Somalia's leadership to show renewed unity at this critical time and overcome divisions, to rebuild cohesion at all levels of the federal institutions. Such cohesion is a prerequisite for fulfilling the aspirations of the Somalia people for lasting peace, security and reconciliation.

The Chairperson of the Commission reaffirms the commitment of the AU, including through the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), to continue its support to the Somali government and people in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace and security.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates his appeal to the international community to renew its commitment to ensure a more coordinated and robust international support to Somalia’s institutions in their struggle to defeat terrorists groups. It is now clear that without adequate and appropriate support to Somalia, many of the security gains made in recent years could be reversed.