UN Stands by Somalia after al-Shabab Attack

[Dabrow]

The United Nations has vowed to stand by Somalia, following Wednesday's deadly attack on a U.N. compound in the Somali capital.

 

The bomb and gun attack by al-Shabab militants killed at least 21 people, including seven attackers and several people working for the United Nations Development Program.

 

Speaking in Beijing Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the U.N. will never be deterred by what he called despicable terrorist attacks. He said the U.N. will help the Somali government and people establish political stability and promote development and human rights.

 

Separately, the U.N. Security Council said attacks will not lessen its resolve "to support Somalia's transition to peace and stability."

 

On Wednesday, al-Shabab taunted the U.N. on its English-language Twitter feed, asking whether the new U.N. envoy to Somalia, Nicholas Kay, is still planning to settle down in Mogadishu.

 

It also said the U.N. is blocking the establishment of Islamic law and "must therefore be dislodged."

 

A new Somali government, installed last year, is trying to bring order to a country that has endured more than 20 years of conflict and crisis.

 

Somali forces and the African Union force AMISOM drove al-Shabab out of Mogadishu nearly two years ago. But the group has continued to carry out periodic, guerilla-style attacks since then.