Somalia: Musician forced to apologise after controversial remarks over Mogadishu bombing

LONDON, UK - A top musician from Somaliland was on Monday forced to apologise on live TV over controversial remarks he made hours after deadly Mogadishu attack, Garowe Online reports.

While performing in London on Sunday, Mohamed BK asked Mogadishu to let go Somaliland, which has been pursuing independence for decades now.

Social media pressure

But a section of social media users termed the remarks "inappropriate" as some piled pressure of the popstar to tender public apology.

For peace to prevail in Mogadishu, he had said, "Somaliland must first be given full recognition as an independent country."

Somalia was battling aftermath of Saturday's deadly attack in Mogadishu that left over 85 people dead when the musician called for Somaliland independence.

Musician tendering apology on TV

In his apology, Mohamed sent condolences to the victims of Mogadishu bombing, he claimed that his statement was grossly "misinterpreted".

"I extend my condolences to the relatives of victims of the blast. Misrepresentation is worse than sorcery. I said good words and extended condolences but some people took advance advantage and misinterpreted," he said.

He added: "My fans and Somali people I love you, I apologise you about what happened, I apologise those who misunderstood my words."

Calls for revocation of his UK visa

The controversial singer alleged that ‘bombs in Mogadishu’ will end when Somaliland is recognized as an independent state.

Social media users were of the opinion that the singer would have first condoled with the family of the victims before engaging in politics.

Infact, some social media users immediately filed petitions to gave the Hargeisa-based musician's UK Visa revoked following the controversy

During the Monday interview, Mohamed pledged to desist from "mixing politics with art" adding that "I regret the confusions made".

Deadly attack leaves 85 dead

Al-Shabaab militants on Monday claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, which is the third worst in Somalia's history.

The attack, Al-Shabaab said, targeted a Turkey convoy and police officers near Afgoye junction. Two Turkey nations died with 17 police officers also succumbing.

Ankara has been a major donor to Mogadishu, pumping millions for infrastructural development. It also supports President Mohamed Farmajo.

Earlier on Monday, Somalia's spy agency NISA linked an unnamed foreign country for allegedly planning and executing the deadly attack.

Somaliland's quest for independence

Since the assassination of Siad Barre, Somalia's last democratically elected leader, Somaliland has been pushing for her independence from Mogadishu.

Although the state is entirely autonomous, the United Nations is yet to fully recognize her administration even though it has a fully functional government.

For years, the state's leadership under President Muse Bihi Abdi has been having frosty relationship with mogadishu administration.

Besides Somaliland, Somalia is also partitioned to states among them Puntland, Southwest, Hirshebelle, Galmadug and Jubaland.

GAROWE ONLINE