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Minister for Africa condemns murder of former Somali Trade Minister Mohamed Abdinur Garweyne

Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham: "This is yet another sad reminder that Somalia desperately needs peace and stability if it is to trade, develop and prosper."

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Condemning the terrorist attack in the Somali capital of Mogadishu yesterday, which killed Somalia’s former Trade Minister Mohamed Abdinur Garweyne and wounded a number of others, and for which the terrorist group Al Shabaab is reported to have claimed responsibility, FCO Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham said:

“I would like to pass on my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr Garweyne, to those injured in the attack and to the people of Somalia. This is yet another sad reminder that Somalia desperately needs peace and stability if it is to trade, develop and prosper. For this reason, it is vital that Somalia’s leaders abide by the commitments they have made to agree a new Somali constitution and to select a new Parliament by the 20 August deadline. The UK, as part of the international community, will stand shoulder to shoulder with those in Somalia that support this process, against all those whose cowardly acts of violence perpetuate instability.”

Published 17 July 2012