Nairobi, 29 October 2009 – The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has strongly condemned those responsible for assassination attempts on the life of President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed which occurred both yesterday and last Thursday.

"After failing at an attempted coup in May—an act strongly condemned by the whole of the International Community—the extremists are again trying to terrorize the Somali people and wreak further havoc on the nation. Resorting to political assassinations that kill innocent Somali bystanders, including women and children, is not only condemnable but absolutely not the way to access power. Committing suicide goes against all religious teachings. As we should know, "Do not kill yourselves, for truly Allah has been to you most merciful. If any do that in rancour and injustice, soon shall we cast him into the Fire." (S4, V29/30)

Yesterday, extremists attempted to assassinate the President as he was returning to Mogadishu. This followed a similar attempt last Thursday at Mogadishu airport as President Sharif boarded a plane for Uganda to attend an African Summit.

"An assassination attempt on the life of the President is also an assassination attempt on all Somalis, as it undermines the efforts of those who have been struggling for some semblance of normalcy and stability for so long." Mr. Ould-Abdallah said.

"Those who ordered and those who carried out these assassination attempts clearly have no intention of participating in dialogue or any interest in contributing to the peace process in Somalia or in the region."