Secretary-General Condemns Attack on United Nation Staff in Garowe, Somalia

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General expresses his outrage at the attack this morning on a United Nations vehicle in Garowe, Somalia’s Puntland region.  The attack resulted in the death of seven people, including four UN staff, and injury to several others.

The Secretary-General conveys his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.  He condemns in the strongest terms this attack against UN staff who are working to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Somalia, including the country’s children, many of whom are in desperate need.

The Secretary-General reiterates that terrorist attacks will not erode the commitment of the whole United Nations family to supporting the people and Government of Somalia in rebuilding peace and prosperity in their country.  He expresses his thanks for the dedication of UN staff serving in Somalia, and reiterates that such barbaric attacks will not diminish the United Nations’ resolve to continue working for the cause of peace in the country.