British Somalis send their condolences to the Kenyan people

A letter of condolence for the attack on the shopping mall in Nairobi was sent yesterday to the President of Kenya by Somali Initiative for Dialogue and Democracy, a partner organisation of IofC-UK.

The letter was signed by Osman Jama Ali, former Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia and Ambassador Mohamed Sharif Mohamud, former Somali and Arab League ambassador, Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.

They wrote:

‘Your Excellency,

We, members of the Somali Diaspora in the UK, are shocked and appalled at the despicable act of terrorism committed in the Nairobi shopping mall.

We wish to express our indignation and revulsion at this heinous crime which aimed not only to violate the security and tranquillity of the people of Kenya, but also to obstruct the process of pacification, stabilisation and state-building in Somalia, and to smear its image.
The negative fallout will reflect equally on our two countries. This criminal act must not be allowed to break the bonds of friendship and cooperation and good neighbourly relations that have always characterised relations between our two countries.

We offer our condolences and consolation to the families of all Kenyans who have been the victims of this crime, as well as to all foreign residents who are affected by this horrible massacre.

Furthermore, we offer our condolences to you, Your Excellency, at the loss of some of your family members in the attack.’

The Somali Initiative for Dialogue and Democracy is associated with IofC-UK's Agenda for Reconciliation Programme which is engaged in peacemaking initiatives, both in Britain and abroad. Recent initiatives include supporting British Somali and Eritrean community leaders in their work to reconcile their communities among themselves, with the host community and in their countries of origin.