Unidentified gunmen have a famous cleric in Bardhere town of Somalia’s southern region, Gedo.
Sheikh Abdirahman Shariif was shot dead near his house in the town after armed men approached him as he walked from a mosque in Bula-Kulow neighbourhood in Bardhere town, according to witnesses who spoke to Halbeeg News.
Shariif who was Imam has long been advocating for peace and equality in the region.
No group has immediately claimed the responsibility for the murder, however, it comes as Al-Shabab group fighting in Somalia stepped up attacks across the country during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
His murder comes three days after unidentified gunmen have shot dead another traditional elder Hassan Oday near Garbaharay town, highlighting challenges and security threats facing traditional elders, clerics and scholars who have long been the face of the country’s clans.
Bardhere, an agricultural strategic town has seen a relative stability since Somali forces backed by the African Union forces kicked Al-Shabab out of the town.
The latest murder has sent shockwaves across the region, as the horn of Africa nation which has a tradition of reverring clerics and traditional elders during challenges, are worried about the very dangerous climate for the elders and scholars.
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