No group has claimed responsibility, although al-Shabab militants are likely to be the prime suspects. This is the first major attack in the capital since the election of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed earlier this month. Troops from the African Union forced al-Shabab out of Mogadishu in 2011, but the militants remain powerful in some rural areas. President Mohamed has condemned the bombing, accusing al-Shabab of being behind the attack. It was a horrific and barbaric attack only aimed at killings civilians,” he said. He urged Somalis to unite against the group’s brutality. The Presidency has offered a $100,000 reward to anybody who supplies information leading to the capture of those responsible. Last month at least 28 people were killed in a bomb attack by militants at the Dayah hotel in Mogadishu.
