Ex-governor turned candidate running for parliamentary seat killed in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A former governor was on Saturday night assassinated by Al-Shabaab militants in the latest wave of killings by the extremist group, which has been targeting innocent civilians, security forces, and government officials.

Abdirahman Ibrahim Maow who served as Hiran region governor died on the spot after two gunmen fired at him just when leaving a nearby Mosque within Wadajir District in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

State media said local officials confirmed the tragic incident which comes just days after the Al-Shabaab militants killed over 10 people in three separate events within Mogadishu in a short period of time.

Abdirahman Ibrahim Maow, besides serving as Hiran region governor, also worked with the Islamic Courts Union from 2006-2007. Critically, in 2009 he joined Hizbul Islam, then led by Hassan Dahir Aweys.

The Al-Shabaab militants did not immediately reveal the reasons behind the shooting but did confirm that they were behind the incident. The Al-Shabaab have been targeting senior government officials including those who have since quit the government.

Currently, Al-Shabaab controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, but a concerted military effort has significantly weakened the group. Al-Shabaab militants are keen to topple the fragile UN-backed Somalia administration.

The African Union Mission Forces [AMISOM] have been working closely with Somali National Army [SNA] in the war against Al-Shabaab. The United States and Turkey also work closely with the Somali security forces.

GAROWE ONLINE