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BREAKING: Somalia's youngest cabinet minister shot dead in Mogadsishu

Hiiraan Online
Wednesday May 3, 2017


Abbas Siraji giving a speech at TedXMogadishu on April 20, 2017. PHOTO: HOL

Mogadishu (HOL) - The Minister for Public Works and Reconstruction was shot dead in Mogadishu today.

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Early reports say that 31-year-old Abbas Abdullahi Siraji - the youngest Somali minister in the Somali cabinet - was shot dead at the front gates of Villa Somalia this evening by Somali government soldiers who were escorting the Auditor General, Nur Farah. The soldiers began firing at Mr. Siraji as his car approached the checkpoint leading to the compound.

A source close to the investigation said that Nur Farah’s bodyguards were suspicious of the vehicle carrying Abbas Siraji and believed they were following their car too closely.

Abbas Siraji was not alone in the car when he was fired upon and unconfirmed reports say that another minister was with him, although it is said to have survived the shooting.

Hours before he was killed, Abbas Siraji launched a public works initiative called the ‘Capacity Injection Program’ with assistance from Africa Development Bank and UNOPS.

Abbas Siraji made headlines earlier this year with his inspiring story that saw him go from the largest refugee camp in the world, Dadaab, to being appointed a Federal Government Minister in Somalia.


President Farmajo has announced that he will cut his trip to Ethiopia short to attend Abass Siraji’s state funeral.

"I am deeply saddened by the death of minister Abass. He was young, diligent and patriotic”

The President said that an investigation is underway to find out exactly what transpired. He also ordered the arrest of the gunmen who fired upon Minister Siraji’s vehicle.

"I've ordered the security heads to immediately get to the bottom of this unfortunate tragedy & make sure the perpetrators are brought to book".

 





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