Workers suffer massacre in Mogadishu

The terrorist atrocity over the weekend from Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, will have appalled everyone. But the TUC was particularly concerned about our sisters and brothers in the Somali trade union movement, whose headquarters are very close to where the blast occurred. They sent us a message on Sunday rightly pointing out that – as usual – workers suffered the brunt of the massacre.

Our sister organisation in Somalia, FESTU, is working in the most challenging of situations, not just the constant threat of violence, but also persistent harassment and oppression by elements in the government. Earlier this year TUC Aid and the TUUT Charitable Trust helped them publish a report on workers’ rights in Somalia, but of course the right to life is paramount.

This is the report our brave colleagues sent us on Sunday:

The Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) is deeply shocked by the horrific massacre of innocent people in a massive explosion after a truck full of bombs and landmines exploded yesterday, Saturday afternoon at KM5 junction in southern Mogadishu - one of the busiest areas in the capital city. This is the most powerful bomb ever hit Mogadishu.

We have today visited KM5 junction as well as Mogadishu’s two main hospitals, Madina and Digfeer. We were informed by the medics that bodies of 230 people who were killed in this horrific attack were brought in these two hospitals - 130 of these dead people are still to be unidentified by their families and relatives because many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition. Unfortunately, the death toll is likely to rise.

More than 250 people were wounded in this explosion. Serious burns victims, several in critical condition, are to be airlifted to Istanbul, Turkey, for urgent and appropriate medication. Turkish Airlines is expected to bring 5 planes tomorrow to carry the wounded. Turkish visa requirements for wounded people are suspended.

The majority of massacred and wounded people are workers. They are hotel and petroleum workers as KM5 is the base for several petroleum companies. The victims include informal economy workers selling fresh vegetables, milk, Khad, stationery and consumer electronics. Transport workers, drivers and conductors, are among the dead. All these victims provided the main source of income for their households, bringing food to their families.

FESTU headquarters is 400m away from where the incident happened. The entire office was shaken, windows/mirrors crumpled, and electricity and internet were cut off. Leaders of FESTU today donated blood to victims.  We appealed to our members to donate blood to their fellow workers who are in dire need.

We express our sympathies with the bereaved families and pray for the departed souls. We send our condolences to working people who have lost their loved ones and to all the Somali people who are trying to come to terms with this massive tragedy.

It is particularly tragic that most of the victims were workers and young people whose lives have been cruelly cut short by these ruthless assassins. There can never be any conceivable justification for the murder of innocent people.

The President of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, declared last night three days of mourning and the Somali flag is flying half-mast.

Omar Faruk Osman, General Secretary, Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU)

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady has sent a message of solidarity and sympathy to the Somali trade union movement.