BELEDWEYNE (Halbeeg News) – Unidentified gunmen have killed a well known traditional elder in Beledweyne town of central Somalia region.
Abdi Hussein Olow was gunned down Tuesday evening on his way home in one of the town’s suburbs.
According to witnesses, the assailants armed with pistols had fled the area before the security forces reached the scene.
Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Gudlaawe has condemned the murder of the elder who had been leading peace efforts in the region for years.
“The President of Hirshabelle State of Somalia, Ali Gudlawe Hussein, has sent his condolences to the family and friends of Abdi Hussein Olow, one of Hirshabelle’s most prominent peace activists, who was killed by a terrorist group in Beledweyne tonight,” a statement by Hirshabelle state reads in part.
It added, “he was a well-known philanthropist who cared for the poor and contributed to the peace and unity of the people of the Hiiraan region.”
Gudlawe has directed the security forces to immediately arrest the perpetrators of the attack.
No group has claimed the responsibility for the murder of the elder but it has the hallmarks of assassin attacks.
The attack comes hours after Hirshabelle state leaders announced that he had reached an agreement with traditional elders in Beledweyne town. The deal would end months-long dispute between Hirshabelle state authorities and people in the Hiiraan region.
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