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Somali president pays first visit to Hiroshima, pledges to seek nuclear abolition with A-bombed city

by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer

On March 15, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of Somalia, located in eastern Africa and in the process of reconstruction after a series of civil wars, visited Peace Memorial Park in downtown Hiroshima. This was the first visit by a president from that nation. Mr. Mohamud pointed to the horrific impact of the atomic bombing and said that, together with the A-bombed city, he will appeal for nuclear abolition to the international community.

After offering flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims, escorted by Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, Mr. Mohamud toured Peace Memorial Museum. As he studied the photographs of A-bomb survivors who suffered burns and clothes that were burned by the bomb’s heat rays, he noted, many times, how “painful” it must have been for the victims. He also listened to the account of Yoshiko Kajimoto, 83, an A-bomb survivor and resident of Nishi Ward. The Somali president shook her hand, saying that the people of Hiroshima, who have overcome the past to reconstruct their city, will serve as an inspiration for his nation.

Prior to his visit to Peace Memorial Park, Mr. Mohamud met with Mayor Matsui. The president said that he will share with Somali citizens what he has learned from Hiroshima, how human beings can overcome tragedy. Mr. Matsui offered his encouragement, saying that he hopes Hiroshima’s example can benefit Somalia in its reconstruction efforts.

Because of civil wars, Somalia had been without a stable government for about 20 years, until 2012, when the current government was officially installed. Mr. Mohamud came to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government. His visit to Hiroshima was arranged at his request. He departed Japan on the same day.

(Originally published on March 16, 2014)

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