Somalia: Former President Dismisses Bombing Accusations

Photo: JC McIlwaine/UN
Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (file photo).

Mogadishu — Somalia's former president Sheikh Shariif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly dismissed a report by Kenyan foreign minister Sam Ongeri that accused him of being behind Jazeera Hotel bombings on September 12.

Speaking at a press conference in Mogadishu, Mr. Ahmed dismissed on Tuesday the allegation of Ongeri as fabricated propaganda and disgraceful indignity, saying for 'careless and irresponsible talk' on him.

"I went to the hotel shortly after I heard the news of the suicide attack at the hotel, where Somalia's new president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sam Ongeri were jointly holding a press conference," he said, adding that he took the president out of the hotel.

"We regret this report. It is a fabricated statement and a lie," Ahmed added.

TFG's former president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed highlighted that he telephoned Sam Ongeri before the election and urged Kenyan government to play an impartial role on issues of Somalia.

Al shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The comments followed after Kenyan foreign minister Sam Ongeri accused on Monday the TFG president Sheikh Sharif sheikh Ahmed over the last week's attempted assassination of his successor Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud.

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Former Somali President Dismisses Bombing Accusations

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Former president Sheikh Shariif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly dismissed claims that he was involved in the Al Shabaab bombings that were aimed at assassinating the newly elected ... Read more »