'Al-Shabaab continues to pose threat to Somalia'

The special envoy of the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an 8-nation Horn of Africa bloc, has warned that Al-Shabaab continues to pose a threat to peace in Somalia.

“This is the first time in 30 years that Somalia has been registering progress in institutional building,” Mohamed Ali Guyo told an IGAD foreign ministers meeting on Friday.

However, he said, lack of security and peace was a growing challenge.

“Al Shabaab continues to be threat to Somalia and the region.”

Last week, triple explosions by Al-Shabaab rocked Somalian capital Mogadishu killing more than 50 civilians and wounding others.

He called for enhanced efforts by the international community to fight Al-Shabaab, which continues to launch deadly attacks across Somalia -- a country gearing up for elections in 2020-2021.

The ministers also heard progress report on South Sudan in their deliberations that came ahead of an expected IGAD meeting of leaders on Sunday.