Somalia: Minister for Public Works and Reconstruction shot dead May 3

Event

The Minister for Public Works and Reconstruction, Abbas Abdullahi Sheikh Siraji, was reportedly shot dead in his car near the presidential palace in the capital city of Mogadishu on Wednesday, May 3. Bodyguards for the Somali government auditor general, Nur Farah, are reportedly responsible for the incident; according to a local official, they opened fire on the car when it was stopped at a checkpoint close to Villa Somalia, after allegedly mistaking the minister for a terrorist. Several of Siraji's bodyguards were reportedly wounded in the incident.

Context

Siraji was the country’s youngest member of Somalia’s new cabinet at age 31. President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed was elected in February and his new cabinet was sworn in on March 21. Though details surrounding the incident remain somewhat unclear, the incident raises significant questions concerning the ability of the government to ensure the security of its ministers, particularly as Al-Shabaab steps up its attacks on the newly formed government. 

Attacks by Al-Shabaab occur frequently in Mogadishu and the group continues to control large zones in the south and center of the country. The group often targets government officials and military infrastructure in a bid to topple the Western- and United Nations-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise their citizens against all travel to Somalia; professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.