Two explosions in Somalia kill 5 because the nation faces an election disaster
A bomber was targeting the Bay region governor who was outside the Suez Cafeteria, officials reported
Another explosion went off in the Huriwa district of Mogadishu, killing one government soldier and wounding a bystander
MOGADISHU, Somalia – A suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside a cafe in Somalia’s town of Baidoa on Saturday, killing at least four people and injuring more than six others, police said.
The bomb was aimed at Bay region governor Ali Wardhere, who was outside the Suez Cafeteria, officials reported. The governor escaped unharmed from the blast, according to the official government news agency, SONNA, which reported that at least two of his bodyguards, who were also police officers, were among the injured.
“The blast, which was heard throughout the city of Baidoa, has terrorized the people and created an instant confusion,” said Amin Maddey, who witnessed the blast and spoke to the Associated Press by telephone.
Al-Qaeda-linked group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility through a report released on its website and Radio Andalus, which speaks for its extremist campaigns.
“The target was a convoy that followed Mr. “Ali Wardhere, the governor of the Bay region who was hit hard,” said the Al-Shabab statement, “three of Ali Wardhere’s bodyguards died in the attack and the target, who was Ali Wardhere himself, was wounded,” the statement added.
Police have cordoned off the area for investigation as many spectators gathered to check if their family members or friends are among the victims.
Meanwhile, another explosion in the Huriwa district of Mogadishu on Saturday killed a government soldier and injured a spectator, police said.
It is not known if the two explosions in Baidoa and Mogadishu are related. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing in Mogadishu.
The people of Somalia are seeing huge security deficits as leaders remain in stalemate over the political situation after elections were delayed earlier this year.
“The meeting between the federal government and the federal member states has ended in total failure,” said Information Minister Osman Abokor Dubbe, who blamed the two leaders in Northeastern State and Jubbaland for this failure.
However, both leaders in Northeastern State and Jubbaland have denied reports of a failed meeting.
There have been fears that the al-Qaeda-linked group would be encouraged by Somalia’s current political crisis as President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed is under pressure to step aside.
