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OIC slams EU leader’s statement on Israel

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.(Xinhua/IANS)

“It is also a betrayal to European citizens who do not endorse such racist erasure of the Palestinian people. President Ursula von der Leyen owes them and the Palestinian people an apology.”…reports Asian Lite News

The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed strong displeasure at European Commisson President, Ursula von der Leyen’s statement at Israel’s 75th statehood anniversary in which she claimed the state had made “the desert bloom”.

OIC said it contained “disappointing political and historical references that are at variance with the European Union’s positions based on human rights, international law and United Nations resolutions.”

The OIC stressed that “these statements ignore historical, political and legal facts dating back thousands of years and coincide with the commemoration of the nakbah (catastrophe) for the territory and people of Palestine, which continue to be a dark spot on humanity’s memory and conscience and a denigration of the values of freedom and justice, following the declaration establishing Israel, the occupation colonial force, and the ensuing policies of racial cleansing, forced expulsion, oppression, confiscation of bonafide Palestinians’ properties and the deprivation of their legitimate rights.”

The OIC called on the European Union to be “alive to its political, legal and humanitarian responsibilities towards ending the Israeli colonial occupation and correcting the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people, supporting their legitimate rights, including the right to return and realising the establishment of their independent state on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

Palestine slams EU leader

In a statement, the Palestinian Authority (PA) foreign ministry described the phrase used by the EU leader as a “racist trope” that amounted to the “erasure” of the Palestinian people.

“The State of Palestine affirms that such propagandist discourse dehumanizes and erases the Palestinian people and falsifies their rich history and civilization. Likewise, such a narrative perpetuates the continued and racist denial of the Nakba and whitewashes Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid regime,” read the statement.

“It is also a betrayal to European citizens who do not endorse such racist erasure of the Palestinian people. President Ursula von der Leyen owes them and the Palestinian people an apology.”

The reference to Israel having “made the desert bloom” is a common phrase used by Israelis and supporters of Israel to describe what they see as the country’s success in developing the land since the establishment of the state in 1948, Middle East Eye reported.

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OIC concerned over Taliban ban on Afghan women

Afghan women work in a tailor shop in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, April 26, 2022. (Xinhua/IANS)

The OIC’s general secretariat said that the barring of females from state organisations is of grave concern.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called upon the de-facto authorities of Afghanistan to once again revisit the ban on Afghan women staff of the UN agencies in the country from working, TOLOnews reported.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha (Photo: OIC)

Many nations and international organisations have continued to respond negatively to the prohibition. Calling the restrictive measures placed on women and girls regressive for country’s growth, the OIC’s general secretariat said that the barring of females from state organisations is of grave concern, the Afghan news agency said.

Moreover, the German mission for Afghanistan on Twitter also condemned the ban on women working for UNAMA.

“It puts millions in acute danger and blatantly violates human rights. Women are essential to humanitarian assistance,” the German mission said on Twitter, adding, “We are now coordinating further steps with our international partners.”

The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, stated that Afghan women would not be replaced with men.

“Afghan women and men are essential to all aspects of the UN’s work in Afghanistan. As we’ve said repeatedly, Afghan women’s meaningful participation is essential to reach safely and effectively populations in need with principled and quality assistance,” he said, reported TOLOnews.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the situation of women in the country has only got worse. Women in the country are prohibited from leadership posts, and not allowed to work as well as travel unless accompanied by a male companion.

The Taliban promised to reopen all schools on March 23, this year, but, instead, on that day, they closed secondary institutions for girls.

There is still no word on when or if these schools will reopen or if the ban is indefinite.

As women’s education continues to suffer majorly in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in March agreed to send a team of scholars to the country to discuss women’s right to education and work with the regime, TOLOnews reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Afghan women slam Taliban over employment curbs

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-Top News India News Politics

India slams OIC remarks on Ram Navami violence

Mumbai, Mar 31 (ANI): Police personnel stand guard after clash broke out between two groups during the 'Ram Navami' Shobha Yatra in the Malad's Malvani area, in Mumbai on Friday. (ANI Photo)

Earlier, the OIC statement had expressed deep concern over the “violence” in several states in India during the Ram Navami processions…reports Asian Lite News

India has condemned the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s statement on the recent clashes between two groups during the Ram Navami processions in some parts of the country.

MEA Spokesperson A. Arindam Bagchi said, “We strongly condemn the statement issued by OIC Secretariat today regarding India. This is one more example of their communal mindset and anti-India agenda. OIC only does its reputation damage by being consistently manipulated by anti-India forces.”

The OIC statement had expressed deep concern over the “violence” and “vandalism targeting Muslim community” in several states in India during the Ram Navami processions, including the burning of a madrasa and its library by an extremist Hindu mob in Bihar Sharif on March 31.

“The OIC General Secretariat denounces such provocative acts of violence and vandalism, which are a vivid manifestation of mounting Islamophobia and systemic targeting of the Muslim community in India. The OIC General Secretariat calls upon the Indian authorities to take firm actions against the instigators and perpetrators of such acts and to ensure the safety, security, rights, and dignity of the Muslim community in the country.” it said.

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OIC calls for greater int’l unity over Jerusalem

Taha reiterated that the continued Israeli measures that target Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem are extremely dangerous…reports Asian Lite News

The secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, spoke at a high-level conference in support of Jerusalem held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo on Sunday.

The conference was attended by important figures including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Taha reiterated that the continued Israeli measures that target Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem are extremely dangerous, the Arab News reported.

He emphasised the responsibility of the international community to preserve the historical and legal status of the occupied city, with a particular focus on the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a place of worship for Muslims only.

Taha called for strengthening cooperation between the OIC and the Arab League to provide political support for the holy city in international forums, in response to the systematic Israeli attacks and violations in Jerusalem. He praised the steadfastness and determination of Jerusalem’s Palestinians and their institutions in the face of adversity, which reflects their unwavering commitment to defending the city and its sanctity.

Taha warned that the ongoing Israeli violations, which are a violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions, as well as an attack on the religious rights and heritage of the Islamic community, threaten peace and stability both in the region and globally.

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Morocco signs the statute of the OIC Labor Centre

The signing ceremony was also witnessed by Ambassador Hassan Ali, Director of the Department of Legal Affairs at the OIC General Secretariat…reports Asian Lite News

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr Hissein Brahim Taha, received at his office, today 22 January 2023, HE Ambassador Mustafa Al-Mansouri, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative to the OIC. The meeting discussed issues of common interest and cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco on various subjects of interest to the OIC.

After the meeting, Ambassador Al-Mansouri signed the Statute of the OIC Labor Centre in the presence of the Secretary-General and Ambassador Shaheen Abdulayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Riyadh and Permanent Representative to the OIC, in his capacity as representative of the host country of the Labor Centre. The signing ceremony was also witnessed by Ambassador Hassan Ali, Director of the Department of Legal Affairs at the OIC General Secretariat.

The Centre aims to promote and enhance the social development efforts of the OIC Member States and coordinate among similar organizations in the Member States and other institutes affiliated to the OIC, which conduct activities in areas related to labor, employment, social protection and human capital development.

ALSO READ-OIC Calls For Emergency Meet to Discuss Al Aqsa

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OIC Calls For Emergency Meet to Discuss Al Aqsa

The OIC General Secretariat strongly condemned Israeli minister’s visit at Al Aqsa calling it “a provocation of Muslim sentiments and a flagrant violation of relevant international resolutions.”…reports Asian Lite News

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will hold an extraordinary open-ended meeting of its Executive Committee in Jeddah on Tuesday to discuss Israeli attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting follows escalating Israeli activity in occupied Jerusalem, most notably a “provocative” visit by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the mosque compound on Tuesday.

The OIC General Secretariat strongly condemned the visit on Tuesday, calling it “a provocation of Muslim sentiments and a flagrant violation of relevant international resolutions.”

Meanwhile, experts have said that the controversial visit of Israeli Minister to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, which has sparked wide condemnation and criticism from the Arab world, might have limited negative impact on Israel’s ties with Arab countries.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman of the Palestinian presidency, on Tuesday slammed the visit as “a challenge to the Palestinian people, the Arab nation, and the international community,” warning that these provocations against sanctities will lead to more tension, violence and explosive conditions.

A rocket was launched toward Israel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday evening, but later fell within the strip.

Jordan summoned the Israeli ambassador and delivered a strongly-worded protest message. Other Arab countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Oman and Libya, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council, all condemned Ben-Gvir’s behavior.

Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at the Tel Aviv University, warned that Ben-Gvir’s visit may heighten the tensions with the Palestinians and increase the chance of various security incidents in the near future, including individual attacks, mass riots and rocket strikes from Gaza.

“All of these have the potential to lead to a broad and relatively rapid escalation,” he added.

But Gadi Hitman, a Palestinian expert at the Ariel University, said that compared to the visit of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to the flashpoint site in 2000 which trigged the second Palestinian armed uprising, the circumstances between Israel and Palestine have significantly changed.

“People may expect some quiet in the region if everything goes smoothly in the upcoming days,” he told Xinhua.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday postponed his visit to the UAE planned for next week, in a move that was widely seen as a result of Ben-Gvir’s action, though Netanyahu denied any connection between the two developments.

“Obviously, Arab countries do not like Ben-Gvir’s decision, but so far, I don’t see any harsh reaction from these states,” said Hitman, adding that certain Arab states are not likely to cancel their peace accords with Israel.

Yonatan Freeman, an international relations expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told Xinhua that due to the great mutual benefit, it is in the interest of both Israel and the Arab world to maintain or expand diplomatic ties.

Freeman said that even Israel and Saudi Arabia have the desire to improve ties as they face common challenges, notably the threat from Iran. “Thus, despite the condemnations, Ben-Gvir’s visit is not likely to stifle the progress being made between the two countries,” he noted.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the most sacred place, is regarded by Muslims as their third holiest site. It has been administered by the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, a Jordanian body, since 1948. Under a 1967 agreement between Israel and Jordan, non-Muslim worshippers can visit the compound but are prohibited from praying there.

4.6-km wall around Gaza Strip

Israel has started to build a 4.6-km-long wall around the Gaza Strip to protect Israeli communities in its vicinity from fire from the coastal Palestinian enclave, the Israeli Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

“Work has begun on a security corridor project adjacent to the Gaza Strip, with the aim of concealing roads to allow residents to drive around safely in times of emergency without fear of counterfire from the Gaza Strip,” the ministry said in a statement.

The wall is being built along two highways near Gaza. Bicycle lanes will also be constructed as part of the project, according to the ministry.

“The project will enable the residents to live a normal life during a security escalation,” Elad Cohen, the project manager at Netivei Israel, a government-owned roads company that builds parts of the wall, was quoted as saying in the statement.

The ministry estimates that the wall will be completed by the summer of 2023.

Israel has already built on-ground and underground barriers to prevent Palestinians in Gaza from entering Israel. However, during clashes, militants in Gaza often fire rockets and gunfire at Israel’s southern communities. 

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-Top News India News

India slams OIC secretary general’s visit to PoK

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha visited PoK on December 10 along with a five-member delegation….reports Asian Lite News

India on Tuesday strongly condemned the visit of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), and said that any interference in the country’s internal affairs was “completely unacceptable”.

External Affairs Ministry’s official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “We strongly condemn the visit of OIC Secretary General to PoK and his comments on J&K during his visit to Pakistan. Let me reiterate that OIC has no locus standi in matters related to J&K, which is an integral and inalienable part of India. Any attempt of interference and meddling in India’s internal affairs by OIC and its Secretary General is completely unacceptable.”

Bagchi further said that “OIC has already lost its credibility by taking a blatantly communal, partisan and factually incorrect approach to issues. Its Secretary General has unfortunately become a mouth-piece of Pakistan. We hope that he would refrain from becoming a partner in carrying out the nefarious agenda of Pakistan of promoting cross border terrorism into India, especially in J&K”.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha visited PoK on December 10 along with a five-member delegation.

He went there on the invitation of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

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UAE News

OIC countries redefines safety of telecom

Dato' Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab, CEO of Cybersecurity Malaysia and the OIC-CERT Permanent Secretariat

At GISEC 2022, Middle East and Africa’s most influential and connected cybersecurity event, the Northern Africa leg of the roll-out in late March…reports Asian Lite News

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – Computer Emergency Response Team (OIC-CERT), a leading international cybersecurity platform, which is currently the third-largest CERT collaboration platform in the world, continued the OIC-CERT 5G Security Framework adoption among member countries in 2022.

Earlier this year, the OIC-CERT 5G Security Framework Workshop, hosted by CyberSecurity Malaysia was held in conjunction with the Malaysian Edition of Safer Internet Day 2022. It aimed to provide awareness of the importance of 5G security, to develop a common 5G security framework for risk assessment and management, and to develop a common standard for OIC member countries that can be used to mitigate any technical difficulties in rolling out 5G. This event set the ball rolling for similar workshops held in other OIC-CERT member countries. According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), “The OIC-CERT 5G Security Framework will be another reference point guiding in ensuring the overall network security, resiliency and survivability of Malaysia’s 5G implementation.”

Dato’ Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab, CEO of Cybersecurity Malaysia and the OIC-CERT Permanent Secretariat, said, “The OIC-CERT 5G Security Framework has garnered tremendous interest since its launch in January 2022. Within ten months, we have promoted the Framework in six countries, resulting in in-person engagement with OIC-CERT members from Malaysia, the UAE, Egypt, and Tunisia, among others.”

“The UAE is leading the adoption of the OIC-CERT 5G Security Framework. The country is building a strong foundation in its critical information infrastructure that supports the emergent metaverse and other future digital initiatives. With the UAE providing a reference point on the versatility and adoptability of the 5G Security Framework, we hope to see more members joining the bandwagon by the end of 2022. This will play an important role in elevating the digital readiness of OIC countries,” he added.

At GISEC 2022, Middle East and Africa’s most influential and connected cybersecurity event, the Northern Africa leg of the roll-out in late March. This was followed by the Cybersecurity Innovation Series (CSIS) Egypt edition, where Mohd Shamir Hashim, the Senior Vice President of CyberSecurity Malaysia International Engagement and the Co-Chair of the OIC-CERT 5G Security Working Group, had a meeting with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt and the National Agency for Computer Security (ANSI) Tunisia. As a result, both agencies indicated the possibility of adopting the OIC-CERT framework in managing 5G security in their countries.

Recently, H.E. Dr Mohamed AI-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government announced that the country had developed a UAE Telecom Cybersecurity Guidance, currently under review, which will effectively strengthen UAE telecommunication cybersecurity in a holistic and systematic manner, involving governance and management, implementation, and improvement of a secure, resilient and self-healing telecom network. Comprised of two parts, the Guidance defines a defense-in-depth, zero-trust driven multi-layered framework based on the OIC-CERT 5G Security Framework. This approach builds security incrementally from the physical layer security to the application layer security based on internationally recognized standards and best practices. The first layer on the equipment security looks at mandating GSMA/3GPP NESAS/SCAS certification as a baseline requirement in the first part to defining a world-first telecom information security management system or the T-ISMS based mainly on GSMA 5G Cybersecurity Knowledge Base and other global standards, which are all recommended by the OIC-CERT 5G Security Framework.

With the UAE leading the adoption of the 5G Security Framework, the country will become an ideal reference point that will provide guidance on how the framework can be utilized to promote the standardization of 5G security on an open and transparent platform to accelerate the seamless, cost-effective roll-out of 5G among the OIC-CERT member states.

The OIC-CERT 5G Security Framework is designed based on the Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA) cycle of the security management systems. However, this framework does not extend many controls under PDCA, but instead further clarifies and simplifies the journey of 5G adoption for OIC member countries in terms of cybersecurity. These four components are uniquely developed as the enabler of PDCA, focusing on baseline and indispensable elements to better maintain and operate a 5G security system in a holistic manner.

ALSO READ-OIC seeks support for Rohingyas

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OIC seeks support for Rohingyas

Five years later, Rohingyas in Rakhine State still lack freedom of movement and other basic rights such as access to adequate food, health care and education…reports Asian Lite News

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has paid tribute to the government and people of Bangladesh for their efforts to provide protection, hospitality and assistance to the Rohingya refugees who have been living in Bangladesh for the past five years.

August 25 marked five years since the start of the massive refugee influx of Rohingya people and other communities from Myanmar’s Rakhine State into Bangladesh.

The OIC paid tribute to the international support provided, including from the member states, for the refugees.

In 2017, Myanmar’s military began carrying out violent operations against the Rohingya population in the northern part of Rakhine State, which resulted in grave crimes under international law and forced hundreds of thousands to flee.

Five years later, Rohingyas in Rakhine State still lack freedom of movement and other basic rights such as access to adequate food, health care and education.

This anniversary was a reminder that the crimes committed against the Rohingya require accountability, the OIC said.

It reiterated its firm support for the Rohingya people and called on the international community to stand firm with them in their plight, and to redouble efforts to protect their human rights, including their right to full citizenship, and to ensure favorable conditions for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of all Rohingya refugees and internally displaced persons to their homeland.

The OIC expressed the hope that the recent ruling of the International Court of Justice to dismiss the preliminary objections of Myanmar would contribute to mobilizing effective international action to provide more support for the Rohingya people and contribute to finding a solution to their suffering.

Dhaka, UN seek to raise $881m

Bangladesh and UN agencies yesterday presented their Joint Response Plan 2022, seeking to raise $881 million in humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas and the Bangladeshi host communities.

This is the first time the JRP sought $100 million for the Roingyas in Bhasan Char, where the government has set up a housing facility at the cost of $360 million for one lakh Roingyas.

So far, about 26,000 refugees have been relocated there.

The JRP 2022, virtually launched in Geneva, will support approximately 1.4 million people — 918,000 Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, and 540,000 Bangladeshis in neighbouring communities.

Presented by UNHCR Director of External Relations Dominique Hyde, the JRP 2022 wants to make sure that the Rohingya situation does not become a forgotten crisis.

“It is therefore vital to ensure continued funding and support to meet the needs of the refugees and surrounding host communities.”

Refugees in the Kutupalong Rohingya Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in July, 2018. (Photo: UN/IANS)

The JRP highlights the need for enhanced efforts towards disaster risk management and climate change mitigation, including through reforestation and energy interventions.

Hyde said the solutions to the Rohingya crisis ultimately lie within Myanmar, but steadfast support from the international community is crucial to delivering lifesaving protection and assistance services for the refugees until they can return to Myanmar.

At the launch, Shahriar Alam, state minister for foreign affairs, said the international community, including the UN, must intensify their focus on the permanent solution — the sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingyas in Myanmar.

“We must not forget the environmental and ecological aspects in and around the camp areas. No project under the JRP should further deteriorate the landscape and ecosystem, rather projects should be there to restore and improve the situation.

“We urge the international community to do everything possible to arrange their [the Rohingya refugees’] early, voluntary and sustainable repatriation,” he said.

Myanmar authorities are yet to demonstrate genuine political will to resolve the crisis, he said, calling for the international community to create an environment conducive to their return in Rakhine state.

“The international community must not shy away from their responsibility to resolve the crisis and relieve Bangladesh from the burden.”

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Africa News

OIC slams terror attack in Somalia

Hissein Brahim Taha, OIC secretary-general, expressed his strong condemnation of the heinous act and his solidarity with the victims’ families, the government, and the people of Somalia…reports Asian Lite News

Members of the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the UN joined US, Britain, Egypt, and Turkey in condemning the terrorist attack in Mogadishu, which killed at least 21 people.

Police and the military in Mogadishu announced on Sunday that Somali forces had concluded a siege at the Hayat and had freed 106 people, including women and children.

Hissein Brahim Taha, OIC secretary-general, expressed his strong condemnation of the heinous act and his solidarity with the victims’ families, the government, and the people of Somalia.

He reiterated the OIC’s principled position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, according to an official statement that said the UN supported the people of Somalia “in their fight against terrorism and their march toward peace.”

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack.

It affirmed the Kingdom’s position of “rejecting all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, expressing condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, the brotherly Somali government, and people.”

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Egypt affirmed its “full solidarity with Somalia in this painful affliction, stressing its total rejection of all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism.”

ATMIS, the African Union force tasked with helping Somali forces take over primary responsibility for security by the end of 2024, also condemned the attack.

Somalia’s elite armed forces battled the militants for 30 hours from Friday evening after the attackers blasted and shot their way into the hotel, which is popular with MPs and other government officials.

Three attackers were shot dead during the military operation to end the siege, police said.

Police Commissioner Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijar said that 106 people, including children and women, were rescued during the siege.

The Al-Shabab extremist group, which has ties with Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest of its frequent attempts to strike places visited by government officials.

Samira Gaid, executive director of the Hiraal Institute, a Mogadishu-based security think tank, said the “audacious attack” was a message to the new government and its foreign allies.

“The complex attack is to show that they are still very much present, very relevant and that they can penetrate government security and conduct such attacks,” she said.

Survivor Aden Ali said he was drinking tea at the hotel when he heard the first blast. He ran toward the compound wall with others as the militants fired at them.

“We were many on the run, over a dozen. When I went out of the hotel, I could see eight of us. May- be the rest died in the shooting,” Ali said.

Another group of people in the hotel fled to an upper floor, where they were killed by terrorists who first blew up the stairs to prevent escape, he added.

Health Minister Dr. Ali Haji Adam reported 21 deaths and 117 people wounded, with at least 15 in critical condition. He said some victims may not have been taken to hospital.

In early May, terrorists attacked a military base for African Union peacekeepers outside Mogadishu, killing Burundian troops.

Police are yet to explain how the hotel attack unfolded, and it remains unclear how many gunmen entered the building.

UN urges long-term support

The United Nations senior envoy in Somalia on Sunday called for lasting support for the victims in Somalia amid a surge in attacks by al-Shabab militants across the country.

James Swan, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, urged that the victims and their families be provided both immediate and longer-term support.

“The UN stands in solidarity with all Somali victims and survivors of terrorism as they heal from their trauma, along with their families and communities,” Swan said in a statement issued in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, to mark the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.

He said the voices of survivors must be heard and acknowledged, and their rights upheld, noting that the weekend’s terrorist violence in Mogadishu is a stark reminder of just how vital this is.

The UN envoy’s statement came after the Somali security forces ended a 30-hour siege at Hayat Hotel which had been attacked by al-Shabab militants.

A police officer said the specialised security forces neutralised the attackers who had detonated explosives and blasted their way inside the popular hotel, a hangout for civilians, government officials, and lawmakers.

“The security forces used heavy weapons and explosives to kill all the attackers. The scene has been quiet for some time now and there is now gunfire coming from the hotel. The siege has ended,” the police officer who declined to be identified told Xinhua on Saturday night.

However, the residents said they could still hear sounds of gunfire inside the Hayat Hotel on Sunday morning.

More than ten people have been killed and several others, including security officers, wounded in the attack.

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