Audio By Carbonatix
The heads of Somalia's Olympic committee and football association are among seven people killed in a suspected suicide blast in Mogadishu.
The Somali Prime Minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, was also present when the attacker struck, but he has told the BBC he was unhurt.
He blamed al-Shabab militants.
The theatre closed in the early 1990s as Somalia descended into civil war and was only reopened last month, amid a new period of relative optimism.
The President of the Somali Olympic Committee, Aden Yabarow Wiish, and the Somali Football Federation chief, Said Mohamed Nur, were among a group of dignitaries who had gathered to mark the first anniversary of the launch of Somalia's national television station.
Sources have told the BBC Somali Service that three Somali television journalists were also wounded in the blast.
Al-Shabab militants who had controlled large parts of the country, including Mogadishu, were pushed out of the city by troops from the African Union last year.
Since then, there has been a period of relative quiet, with sporting activity resuming, restaurants opening, and the re-opening of the National Theatre.
But al-Shabab has continued to attack the capital with bombs and mortars.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Deputy Education Minister directs GES to act on video of SHS students displaying charms
15 minutes -
From camouflage to tracksuits – Guinea’s junta leader becomes civilian president
24 minutes -
Iran supreme leader admits thousands killed during recent protests
42 minutes -
Judiciary to roll out court decongestion measures, galamsey courts – Chief Justice
2 hours -
Ugandan leader to extend 40-year rule after being declared winner of contested poll
2 hours -
Residents demand action on abandoned Salaga–Kumdi–Kpandai road
2 hours -
Ghana, Japan explore ways to deepen long-standing bilateral ties
3 hours -
Ghana Navy foils illegal fuel bunkering operation along Volta coastline
3 hours -
Gov’t assures minimal power disruption during WAPCo gas pipeline maintenance
3 hours -
Burna Boy and Sporty Group unveil new single “For Everybody” celebrating Africa’s sports heritage and cultural excellence
3 hours -
Achieve By Petra partners Richie Mensah to drive financial independence
4 hours -
Kwakye Ofosu says cost of living eased under Mahama government
5 hours -
Total banking deposits stood at GH¢302.0bn in October 2025, but foreign currency deposits contracted by 21%
5 hours -
Interior Minister calls for collective action to enhance security in Ashanti Region
5 hours -
Baobab: Tree of life dying as climate change ravages Northern Ghana
5 hours
