Gunmen kill Somali regional minister

Unknown gunmen have reportedly shot dead a Somali regional minister in the town of Jowhar, middle Shabelle region.

A police official in Jowhar town identified as Abdifatah Hassan told Anadolu Agency via telephone that Hirshabelle State Agriculture Minister Abdukadir Abukar was shot dead minutes after the evening prayer on Monday, August 17.

“The gunmen attacked minister Abdukadir Abukar while he was going to his house from a nearby mosque,” Hassan said.

He added the attackers fled the scene.

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He said security forces immediately rushed to the scene after the shooting and started an investigation into the incident.

Authorities believe the al-Shabaab group is behind the attack.

In a related story, WITHIN NIGERIA reported that Somalia’s Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has been sacked by the parliament, following a no-confidence vote on Saturday. He was immediately replaced.

Khaire and President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed have been tussling over whether to delay a national election due in February next year, with the prime minister insisting it go ahead and the president favouring postponement.