Somali minister shot dead near presidential palace

[Slow death]

Abbas Abdullahi, public works and reconstruction minister, dies after bodyguards for auditor general shoot at his car.

Bodyguards for Somalia's auditor general shot dead a government minister in an apparent accident near the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Wednesday evening, police said.

Auditor general Nur Farah's bodyguards opened fire on a car carrying Abbas Abdullahi Sheikh Siraji, the public works and reconstruction minister, near a checkpoint close to the palace, said police captain Mohamed Hussein.

Senior Somali security member Mohamed Hassan told the German news agency that the minister's bodyguards had falsely identified Farah, who was travelling in a bulletproof vehicle, as a threat and there had been an exchange of gunfire.

Several of Siraji's bodyguards were wounded in the incident, according to Hassan. Another minister who was in the car with Siraji survived.

The auditor general escaped unharmed.

Security concerns are high in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, as the al-Shabab armed group continues to target the palace, military facilities and hotels with suicide car bombings and other attacks.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/somali-minister-shot-dead-presidential-palace-170503180518907.html

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[merchantofzeny]

Abbas Abdullahi, public works and reconstruction minister, dies after bodyguards for auditor general shoot at his car.

Bodyguards for Somalia's auditor general shot dead a government minister in an apparent accident near the presidential palace in Mogadishu on Wednesday evening, police said.

Auditor general Nur Farah's bodyguards opened fire on a car carrying Abbas Abdullahi Sheikh Siraji, the public works and reconstruction minister, near a checkpoint close to the palace, said police captain Mohamed Hussein.

Senior Somali security member Mohamed Hassan told the German news agency that the minister's bodyguards had falsely identified Farah, who was travelling in a bulletproof vehicle, as a threat and there had been an exchange of gunfire.

Several of Siraji's bodyguards were wounded in the incident, according to Hassan. Another minister who was in the car with Siraji survived.

The auditor general escaped unharmed.

Security concerns are high in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, as the al-Shabab armed group continues to target the palace, military facilities and hotels with suicide car bombings and other attacks.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/somali-minister-shot-dead-presidential-palace-170503180518907.html

Doesn't sound like an accident to me.

[Kasper123]

There the military situation, and in war as in war.

[Kemarit]

I find it hard to believed that this is a accident. Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas, looks like he has a bright future in political in the war torn country Somalia. But was cut short by this apparent accident. They should have known that the car is carrying a cabinet member inside, because for sure there would be like identifying mark that this car belong to a cabinet member. I think investigation should be rolling and identify the motivation behind the shooting. And punish those who killed Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas. Its a sad story knowing that he came from a refugee camp and finished high there and pursue his love for his country by serving only to cut short by the shooting.

[iamTom123]

I find it hard to believed that this is a accident. Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas, looks like he has a bright future in political in the war torn country Somalia. But was cut short by this apparent accident. They should have known that the car is carrying a cabinet member inside, because for sure there would be like identifying mark that this car belong to a cabinet member. I think investigation should be rolling and identify the motivation behind the shooting. And punish those who killed Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas. Its a sad story knowing that he came from a refugee camp and finished high there and pursue his love for his country by serving only to cut short by the shooting.

I am sure there are people who planned this whole incident and for a big reason related to politics or maybe the victim is really posing a threat to someone's position that is why he was eliminated early on. We are living in a world where respect for life and human rights are slowly dying everyday. Gone are those days when people do fully respect each other and that life is given much more prominence and not just another thing to snap at at someone's order.

[Siren]

I find it hard to believed that this is a accident. Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas, looks like he has a bright future in political in the war torn country Somalia. But was cut short by this apparent accident. They should have known that the car is carrying a cabinet member inside, because for sure there would be like identifying mark that this car belong to a cabinet member. I think investigation should be rolling and identify the motivation behind the shooting. And punish those who killed Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas. Its a sad story knowing that he came from a refugee camp and finished high there and pursue his love for his country by serving only to cut short by the shooting.

I am sure there are people who planned this whole incident and for a big reason related to politics or maybe the victim is really posing a threat to someone's position that is why he was eliminated early on. We are living in a world where respect for life and human rights are slowly dying everyday. Gone are those days when people do fully respect each other and that life is given much more prominence and not just another thing to snap at at someone's order.

Its looks likely this is political motivated. I read that Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas has been called by the USA as a "rising star" in Somalia. Maybe they really think that this young politician is a threat to whoever may benefited from his assassination. For me this is political assassination, but then again Somalia is indeed a war torn country and respect for lives are taken lightly.

[Sithara007]

These people can't live peacefully. Even if you give each one of them $1,000 worth of freebies every month, they will still fight among each other. The best method is to build a fence around Somalia, and confine these people there.

[TheCoinGrabber]

I find it hard to believed that this is a accident. Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas, looks like he has a bright future in political in the war torn country Somalia. But was cut short by this apparent accident. They should have known that the car is carrying a cabinet member inside, because for sure there would be like identifying mark that this car belong to a cabinet member. I think investigation should be rolling and identify the motivation behind the shooting. And punish those who killed Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas. Its a sad story knowing that he came from a refugee camp and finished high there and pursue his love for his country by serving only to cut short by the shooting.

I am sure there are people who planned this whole incident and for a big reason related to politics or maybe the victim is really posing a threat to someone's position that is why he was eliminated early on. We are living in a world where respect for life and human rights are slowly dying everyday. Gone are those days when people do fully respect each other and that life is given much more prominence and not just another thing to snap at at someone's order.

Also what I thought. Am so glad I don't live in that shithole.

These people can't live peacefully. Even if you give each one of them $1,000 worth of freebies every month, they will still fight among each other. The best method is to build a fence around Somalia, and confine these people there.

Who will pay for it though? I doubt Ethiopia is in a condition to build a large wall to keep them out. They seem to be the ones that really have problems with Somalis when it comes to a proper border.

[Sithara007]

Who will pay for it though? I doubt Ethiopia is in a condition to build a large wall to keep them out. They seem to be the ones that really have problems with Somalis when it comes to a proper border.

I heard that China is having $3 trillion worth of forex reserves. Perhaps China can help Ethiopia. In return, Ethiopia can permit Chinese resettlement in the eastern Ogaden region, which is mostly populated by the ethnic Somalis.

[Challenger2015]

Who will pay for it though? I doubt Ethiopia is in a condition to build a large wall to keep them out. They seem to be the ones that really have problems with Somalis when it comes to a proper border.

I heard that China is having $3 trillion worth of forex reserves. Perhaps China can help Ethiopia. In return, Ethiopia can permit Chinese resettlement in the eastern Ogaden region, which is mostly populated by the ethnic Somalis.

You propose to sell the country for money? This is nonsense! How to trade territory? What will be left for the children? In addition, such relocation may lead to ethnic conflicts in the future.

[Slow death]

These people can't live peacefully. Even if you give each one of them $1,000 worth of freebies every month, they will still fight among each other. The best method is to build a fence around Somalia, and confine these people there.

I am in agreement, I am African and I must say that Africans have many problems, mental poverty and religion make Africans very naive and cruel.

There are things that I see that make me question:

Do Africans have feelings?

[Challenger2015]

These people can't live peacefully. Even if you give each one of them $1,000 worth of freebies every month, they will still fight among each other. The best method is to build a fence around Somalia, and confine these people there.

I am in agreement, I am African and I must say that Africans have many problems, mental poverty and religion make Africans very naive and cruel.

There are things that I see that make me question:

Do Africans have feelings?

Unfortunately some feelings a little. For normal life need the economy. The bulk of African States has the economy and is imbued with corruption. While I don't see any prospects for their development.

[TheCoinGrabber]

Who will pay for it though? I doubt Ethiopia is in a condition to build a large wall to keep them out. They seem to be the ones that really have problems with Somalis when it comes to a proper border.

I heard that China is having $3 trillion worth of forex reserves. Perhaps China can help Ethiopia. In return, Ethiopia can permit Chinese resettlement in the eastern Ogaden region, which is mostly populated by the ethnic Somalis.

Ogaden is disputed territory with Somalia, right? I believe there are other self-declared republics in Somalia - Puntland and the more successful Somaliland. Maybe Ethiopia would only build a wall on the border with Puntland and what's left of Somalia? They use Somaliland's port, Berbera, to gain access to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

I remember reading years ago that China is funding railroads in Ethiopia, I wonder what they'll be asking in return. Ethiopia sorely need those since it was left without sea access when Eritrea split away.

[bryant.coleman]

Who will pay for it though? I doubt Ethiopia is in a condition to build a large wall to keep them out. They seem to be the ones that really have problems with Somalis when it comes to a proper border.

I heard that China is having $3 trillion worth of forex reserves. Perhaps China can help Ethiopia. In return, Ethiopia can permit Chinese resettlement in the eastern Ogaden region, which is mostly populated by the ethnic Somalis.

Ogaden is disputed territory with Somalia, right? I believe there are other self-declared republics in Somalia - Puntland and the more successful Somaliland. Maybe Ethiopia would only build a wall on the border with Puntland and what's left of Somalia? They use Somaliland's port, Berbera, to gain access to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

I remember reading years ago that China is funding railroads in Ethiopia, I wonder what they'll be asking in return. Ethiopia sorely need those since it was left without sea access when Eritrea split away.

According to the latest census, more than 97% of the population in Ogaden is composed of ethnic Somalis. Ethiopia is a Christian dominated states, and the Muslim Somalis don't want Ogaden to remain as a part of that country. Now there are two choices. The first one is to merge Ogaden with Somalia. The second option is to expel the Somalis, and then resettle the region with Christians.

[coolcoinz]

I always look for a second bottom, so i'd say they were paid to assassinate him. "identified as a threat" WTF? A guy was driving a bulletproof limo with (most likely) government plates or other signs and they started shooting at him? No terrorist would choose an expensive bulletproof car as his transport. Also how the hell did they go through the armor? I bet the car looked like a swiss cheese after that "accident"

[arpon11]

This is pure assassination! Looking at the way it happened it cannot be otherwise. Power is transit and it has got to the head of most if not all African leader. We should do more prayer for our leaders as currently devil is using they mind to killed themselves and they followers because politics.

[Sithara007]

This is pure assassination! Looking at the way it happened it cannot be otherwise. Power is transit and it has got to the head of most if not all African leader. We should do more prayer for our leaders as currently devil is using they mind to killed themselves and they followers because politics.

Can't confirm whether it was assassination or not. If it was one, then this guy might have locked horns with a few powerful figures in Somalia. That country is one of the most lawless places on earth, and even if someone gets killed it is not going to attract much media attention.

[squatz1]

I find it hard to believed that this is a accident. Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas, looks like he has a bright future in political in the war torn country Somalia. But was cut short by this apparent accident. They should have known that the car is carrying a cabinet member inside, because for sure there would be like identifying mark that this car belong to a cabinet member. I think investigation should be rolling and identify the motivation behind the shooting. And punish those who killed Abdullahi Sheikh Abbas. Its a sad story knowing that he came from a refugee camp and finished high there and pursue his love for his country by serving only to cut short by the shooting.

Well if something like this was classed as an "accident" and people are starting to look the only way, you can only thing and suggest that this was sanctioned by the highest powers of the government to get rid of someone that was going to pose some sort of issue to the people in REAL POWER at the moment. The investigation isn't going to occur and if it does nothing is going to happen to the guy who's really behind it, someone may take the fall for it though.

Sad to see such corruption present, but what can you do I suppose it's bound to happen by human love for money and overall greed.

This is pure assassination! Looking at the way it happened it cannot be otherwise. Power is transit and it has got to the head of most if not all African leader. We should do more prayer for our leaders as currently devil is using they mind to killed themselves and they followers because politics.

Can't confirm whether it was assassination or not. If it was one, then this guy might have locked horns with a few powerful figures in Somalia. That country is one of the most lawless places on earth, and even if someone gets killed it is not going to attract much media attention.

+1 I can only think about the locking heads part as being true, probably the motive behind this entire thing.

[TheCoinGrabber]

Who will pay for it though? I doubt Ethiopia is in a condition to build a large wall to keep them out. They seem to be the ones that really have problems with Somalis when it comes to a proper border.

I heard that China is having $3 trillion worth of forex reserves. Perhaps China can help Ethiopia. In return, Ethiopia can permit Chinese resettlement in the eastern Ogaden region, which is mostly populated by the ethnic Somalis.

Ogaden is disputed territory with Somalia, right? I believe there are other self-declared republics in Somalia - Puntland and the more successful Somaliland. Maybe Ethiopia would only build a wall on the border with Puntland and what's left of Somalia? They use Somaliland's port, Berbera, to gain access to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

I remember reading years ago that China is funding railroads in Ethiopia, I wonder what they'll be asking in return. Ethiopia sorely need those since it was left without sea access when Eritrea split away.

According to the latest census, more than 97% of the population in Ogaden is composed of ethnic Somalis. Ethiopia is a Christian dominated states, and the Muslim Somalis don't want Ogaden to remain as a part of that country. Now there are two choices. The first one is to merge Ogaden with Somalia. The second option is to expel the Somalis, and then resettle the region with Christians.

Well before any of that happens, I would prefer that Somaliland get official recognition first so that the fledgling democracy can get all the support it needs. I mean, it's working better than Somalia proper. They need help now though. They're currently experiencing drought as we know, that do lead to violence as people fight for resources. Many would argue the Syrian civil war started with inadequate response to the drought happening at the time.

[Smolko]

Jesus why there are always problems .