Somalia: Thousands Protest Al-Shabaab Terrorist Attack

Thousands of demonstrators  rallied in the capital Mogadishu to show solidarity against the extremist group al-Shabaab, and condemn the truck bombing that killed more than 70 people and injured 100 more at the compound of the Ministry of Education.

The protesters congregated at Konis Football Stadium, in Abdulaziz District, led by local elders, to denounce the bloody terrorist attack on October 4, according to the Government of Somalia.

Under tight security by TFG and AMISOM forces, the three-hour protest passed peacefully without any incident, as people held up large posters denouncing the attack and calling on Al Shabaab to stop the killing and enter into reconciliation talks with government.

The President, H.E. Sharif Sheik Ahmed, attended the rally and spoke to the demonstrators saying: “Should we abandon our country because of fugitive criminals from abroad and children who have disobeyed their parents? The answer is no.:

Ahmed added, “We are very sorry that al-Shabaab is committing atrocities in the name of Islam against the civilians who are Muslims. We are very sorry that the name of Islam is being used to kill innocent people.”

Ahmed said that “Somalia is committed to reconciliation and ending these terrible years of chaos and destruction. We will stand together to defeat terrorism and give our people a peaceful and prosperous future.”