Somalia leaders condole Mediterranean tragedy victims

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MOGADISHU, Somalia- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has condoled victims of a fresh tragedy in which close to 400 people—mostly Somalis—are feared to be dead in the Mediterranean, Garowe Online reports. 

Overcrowded boats loaded with dozens of migrants including Somalis and leaner number of Ethiopians and Syrians, have capsized off the coast of Egypt, Somali Ambassador in Cairo was quoted as saying.  

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said at a prize-giving ceremony in Rome on Monday that several hundred people might have perished in yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean.

“This is really a painful death that touches us deeply. Those youths were lost by whole Somalia. It is a sorrow for Somali youth to lose their lives in such perilous journeys,” Mohamud said in a press statement from his office.  

Leaders of Somaliland, Puntland and Jubaland have sent similar condolences to bereaved families of people killed in latest Mediterranean tragedy. 

On Sunday, Somalis took to social media networking sites to share photos of some victims, blaming Somali authorities for failing to address the trend. 

Fadumo Abdi Dirie said three of her relatives were among those whose boats overturned: “We know, and I have warned them of. But it is difficult to stop a person who travelled through Ethiopia and Sudan, and now on the shores.” 

Somali envoy to Egypt has also confirmed that 29 migrants had been rescued by Greek coastguards.  

“This is another strong reason for Europe to commit itself not to build walls,” Italy’s Foreign Affairs Minister Paolo Gentiloni said. 

Somalia is recovering from a two-decade old bloody internal strife despite surging unemployment rates. 

EU Special envoy and Ambassador to Somalia Michele Cervone d’Urso tweeted:” My thoughts go to all the Somalis that perished off the coast of Egypt,” asking, “When will this tragedy stop?” He added that they are committed to work on job opportunities for Youth.  

Hundreds of Somali youths previously died in Mediterranean while trying to sail from Libya to Europe.

GAROWEONLINE

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