Johannesburg – South Africa on Tuesday condemned an attack on a building housing Turkish embassy staff in Mogadishu, Somalia, that claimed the lives of six people.

“The government of the Republic of South Africa condemns in the strongest terms the bomb attack that targeted a building in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Saturday,” the international relations department said in a statement.

“South Africa welcomes the announcement by Turkey that it will remain steadfast in its support for Somalia despite the attempts by terrorists to plunge the country into further disarray.”

The attacks, carried out by Al-Shabaab militia, claimed six lives, including a Turkish official, two Somali security guards, and a university student.

Nine people were injured, including four members of the Turkish security force charged with protecting the complex.

The department called on parties and individuals in Somalia to renounce violence.

“We call on groups and individuals who remain outside of the political process to desist from cowardly acts of terrorism and join the peace-driven political processes of reconciliation to ensure the development and prosperity of Somalia.”

– SAPA