President Farmaajo orders probe into killing of Minister, cuts short Ethiopia visit

The President has ordered investigations into the killing of the Minister and cut short his visit to Ethiopia. File Photo: Villa Somalia Handout

President Mohamed Farmaajo has ordered for speedy investigations into the killing of Public Works and Reconstruction Minister Abbas Abdullahi Siraj Wednesday evening at the entrance of the presidential palace.

In a tweet Wednesday night, the President called the killing an ‘unfortunate tragedy’ which had claimed the life of his young and patriotic minister.

“I have ordered the security heads to immediately get to the bottom of this unfortunate tragedy and make sure the perpetrators are brought to book,” the president said.

Farmaajo also announced he was cutting short his visit to the neighbouring Ethiopia which he was scheduled for Thursday to ‘mourn with my country and take part in the state burial of minister Abass.’

The president also expressed his shock on the death of the minister noting, “I am deeply saddened by the death of minister Abass. He was young, diligent and patriotic”

The circumstances surrounding the minister’s killing are not yet clear but a Senator quoted by Associated Press said the minister was mistaken shot by government security forces.

“Siraji’s vehicle was mistakenly shot at by government security guards outside the presidential palace, a senator, Ilyas Abdulahi, told AFP.

Other leaders have also expressed their shock at the killing of the minister describing him as a dedicated servant to Somalia.

Former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the death of Siraj was shocking. “I’m deeply shocked and saddened over the killing of Minister Abas Siraji, I offer my condolences to the family and all Somali people,” president Mohamud said in a tweet.

First Deputy Speaker of the Senate Abshir Bukhari said the death of the minister was shocking and disturbing.

“The death of Minister Abbas Siraj is deeply shocking and disturbing. Abbas endured years at refugee camp and against odds rose to be Minister,” said Bukhari.

Former Planning Minister Abdi Aynte Siraj was an inspiration to many youth in the country and that his death was a loss to the country.

“The pain and agony with Siraj murder is lacerating. Met him 25 minutes before he was killed. We were supposed to meet again tonight.

“He grew up in Dadaab camp and his meteoric rise to the upper echelon of govt was hope for many,” said Aynte. The former minister said he was to meet the minister the same night he met his death.