Somalia: Member of Parliament shot and killed outside mosque 6 Aug 6, 2012 - 7:23:04 AM
GAROWE, Somalia Aug 6 2012 (Garowe Online) – A member of the Puntland Parliament was shot and killed outside a mosque as he was making his way home from morning prayer on Monday, Garowe Online reports.
Abdisalan Sheikh Mohamud Shaybe was killed as he had finished the morning-prayer at the Al Huda mosque in Garowe.
The gunman had waited for MP Shaybe to finish reciting the Quran after the MP had finished performing his prayer.
Member of Puntland Parliament Abdisalan Sheikh Mohamud Shaybe Photo (Garowe Online)
According to witnesses, the gunman followed MP Shaybe as he made his way to the exit and shot the MP once outside the mosque.
A woman headed to the market saw the gunman trying to escape the scene of the crime and had pursued the gunman even after he had shot at the woman.
Fortunately the shots did not hit the woman who informed the Puntland police about the gunman’s last known whereabouts.
Garowe police forces said that the investigation was ongoing and that they had many leads in the case.
MP Shaybe was laid to rest Monday morning as hundreds gathered to attend his funeral including Puntland Vice President Abdisamad Ali Shire, Speaker of Parliament Abdirashid Mohamed Hersi, ministers and other government officials.
Shaybe was the brother of Khalif Sheikh Mohamud a revolutionary and renowned Somali poet. MP Shaybe left behind 17 children.
Puntland officials who were shocked and saddened by the MP’s death, say his work ethic and positive outlook will be deeply missed in the Puntland government.
