Outrage as second Somali MP is killed in two days

MOGADISHU. Unknown gunmen shot dead a Somali lawmaker on Tuesday in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, making the deceased the second Somali member of parliament (MP) to be killed in 24 hours. The Lawmaker Abdelaziz Isaq Mursal was shot dead as he left his home in the western district of Dherkenlay in Mogadishu, Radio Mogadishu reported. The attackers then escaped in a vehicle before Somali security forces could arrive at the scene of crime, it was reported. The killing of the MP comes a day after lawmaker Isaq Mohamed Riino was killed in a car bomb explosion. Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the killing of Riino and the militants vowed to continue targeting Somali government officials. The killing of the MP has drawn condemnations from the Somali government, UN envoy and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said the killing was a cowardly act andvowed to bring to justice those behind the deadly bomb blast. “The use of terror will not derail us from the progress made in securing Somalia. It only serves to unite and strengthen our resolve to defeat all forms of terrorism and violence,” the Prime Minister said. “These acts of terror only serve to inflict indiscriminate violence, distress and grief on innocent people,” he added. UN Somalia envoy Nicholas Kay described the killing as a terrorist act and called for a “full investigation” of the assassination of Riino while AMISOM said the assassination was “unacceptable” as representatives of the Somali people, “any attack on MPs is an attack on the people.” Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also condemned the murder of the lawmaker saying that the death of Mohamed was not only a big blow to his family and the Federal Government but also the people of Somalia who he served with commitment and dedication as a Member of Parliament. “His contribution to rebuilding Somalia will always be remembered and honored by those he has left behind,” Kenyatta said, calling for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice. He strongly condemned the bomb attack that resulted in the death of the Somali legislator, saying that Kenya stands with the people of Somalia in the fight against terror. “Such cowardly attacks strengthen our resolve to do everything within our powers to win the war on terror,” President Kenyatta said. “On behalf of the government and the people of Kenya, I convey to the Federal Government and the people of Somalia, as well as the family of the late Hon. Mohamed our heartfelt condolences,” Kenyatta said.”I assure you that the people and the Government of Kenya stand with you during this difficult time of mourning,” he affirmed. The Somali government has vowed to tackle insecurity in Mogadishu which has lately been witnessing intermittent explosions and targeted killings of both civilians and government officials. The extremist Al-Shabaab group has been pushed out of several key areas in the south and center of Somalia by Somali government and AMISOM forces.