The South African government calls on political stakeholders in Somalia to refrain from using violence following the explosion in Mogadishu on 4 October 2011

The South African Government is deeply shocked and saddened by the scale of the death toll resulting from the car bomb explosion at the gate of a Transitional Federal Government compound, containing nine government ministries in Mogadishu, Somalia on 4 October 2011. Sixty-five people were killed and fifty wounded, including soldiers, civilians and students who were due to write an application examination for scholarships abroad at the Ministry of Education. Such acts only lead to the deterioration of the situation in the war-torn region and render the people of Somalia more vulnerable to human and natural disasters.

We are comforted to note that the South African teams from the Gift of the Givers and the Al Imdaad Foundation are reportedly safe, though it concerns us that they were not far from the blast.

The South African Government hereby reiterates that violence and counter-violence, aggression and acts of terror are counter-productive and will not serve to deliver peace and security to the Horn of Africa.

We therefore call on all political stakeholders to refrain from such acts of indiscriminate killings and resolve to work towards a political solution that is inclusive of all clans, parties and factions and restore peace, stability and order to Somalia.

For further information contact Clayson Monyela Spokesperson of DIRCO on 082 884-5974

Issued by the department of international relations and cooperation

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Pretoria

05 October 2011