The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has issued a statement condemning “in the strongest possible terms” the attack in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Saturday that killed more than 300 and injured hundreds others in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Saturday.
The statement shared a message of condolences to all those affected – “the Somali Government as well as the families of the deceased” – and wished all the injured a speedy recovery.
Dirco has maintained that “the South African government will continue to work with other member states of the African Union and the United Nations to explore long-term solutions to the scourge of terrorism and extremism”.
The bomb attack in Mogadishu has been declared the deadliest terror attack since the Islamist al-Shabab group launched its insurgency in 2007. Typically, each attack by al-Shabab will kill on average between two or three people however, according to Al Jazeera the deadliest attack was in February when 39 people were killed when a car bomb detonated in a Mogadishu market.
Al-Shabab has carried out over 360 attacks in Somalia over the past decade.
The group is tied to al-Qaeda and is waging an insurgency against Somalia’s UN-backed government in a bid to impose its own strict interpretation of Islam.
In Saturday’s attack, a truck that was packed with military-grade and homemade bombs exploded outside the Safari hotel in the city. Two hours later, another blast struck at another junction in the city.
No group has taken responsibility for the attack but Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” Mohamed has blamed the attack on Islamist Al-Shabab, calling it a “heinous act”.
As of Monday morning, Mogadishu is receiving aid from Turkey and support from non-profit organisation AAmin ambulance which has given four ambulances to ferry wounded the wounded.
The United Kingdom, the United States, France, Canada and the African Union have offered their condolences on the deadly attack and have promised to continue fighting terror.
The president declared three days of mourning and appealed to “all Somali people to come forward and donate blood” so that hospitals can help those injured.
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