Nairobi, 2 May 2010 – The UN Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, has strongly condemned the explosions yesterday at the Abdalla Shideye mosque in Mogadishu's Bakara market which killed and injured many Somalis and a number of foreigners.

"This was a brutal attack on people who had gone to the Mosque to pray," said Mr Ould-Abdallah. "Such attacks must be condemned."

The Special Representative said the attack in Bakara market, which is controlled by extremist groups opposing the Government, would only escalate the bloodshed and violence which has afflicted the country for the past twenty years.

"We do not know yet who was behind these blasts, their motivation or who the victims were, but ultimately it is the Somali people who pay the high price," said Mr Ould-Abdallah. "This action is not in the interests of dialogue or of bringing stability to Somalia.

"On again, on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, I call on Somalis to stop the indiscriminate killing and to strive for a peaceful future for the sake of themselves, their children and their country."