Security Council

6009^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, STRONGLY CONDEMNS ‘HEINOUS’

TERRORIST ATTACK ON UNITED NATIONS, GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN SOMALIA

 

The Security Council this afternoon condemned in the strongest terms yesterday’s terrorist suicide attacks in Somalia that targeted the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and government offices, causing numerous deaths and injuries.

Through a statement read out by Zhang Yesui of China, which holds the Council’s presidency for October, Council members also underlined the need to bring to justice the perpetrators and enablers of what it called “heinous” attacks, which occurred in the towns of Hargeysa and Bosasso, and appeared to have been coordinated.

Noting with appreciation that some of the injured were being treated at the French medical centre in Djibouti, the Council expressed its deepest sympathy to victims of the attacks and their families.

The meeting, which opened at 12:35 p.m., closed at 12:43 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the presidential statement (contained in document S/PRST/2008/41) reads as follows:

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist suicide attacks that occurred in the towns of Hargeysa and Bosasso in Somalia, on 29 October 2008.  These heinous attacks, which caused numerous deaths and injuries and appear to have been coordinated, targeted the compound of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ethiopian Government office, as well as local government offices.

“The Security Council expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of these attacks and to their families, and to the people and authorities of Somalia and Ethiopia.  It notes with appreciation that some of the victims are being treated at the French medical centre in Djibouti.

“The Security Council commends United Nations personnel for their action on the ground on Somalia, in support of the Somali population.

“The Security Council underlines the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and resolution 1373 (2001) and consistent with resolution 1624 (2005), to cooperate actively with the authorities of Somalia in this regard.

“The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

“The Security Council further reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.  The Council reminds States that they must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

“The Security Council reiterates its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.”

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For information media • not an official record