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Two prominent clan elders killed in Mogadishu hotel attack, three others injured

Storyline:National News, Security
AP Photojournalist Farah Abdi Warsame (left) supports his colleague Mohamed Abdiwab (centre) from AFP at Medina Hospital, Mogadishu. The two were injure during the bomb explosion. Photo: Goobjoog News|Jan 25, 2017
AP Photojournalist Farah Abdi Warsame (left) supports his colleague Mohamed Abdiwab (centre) from AFP at Medina Hospital, Mogadishu. The two were injure during the bomb explosion. Photo: Goobjoog News|Jan 25, 2017

Two elders who participated in nominating MPs to Parliament in 2012 and selection of delegates in last year’s elections were among those who died in Dayah hotel bomb explosion Wednesday.

One of the elders who was among the 135 respected elders in Somalia, Malak Ali Shine confirmed to Goobjoog News Malak Malabow Malak Isaaq Kerro from Gerwale sub clan and his counterpart Malak Abdirashid Malak Abdisalam from Yantaar sub clan both from South West state were killed in the attack.

Two other elders Shariff Muhidin Sheikh Adan from Asharaf sub clan, Malak Hassan Bule from Jilible and Malak Abdiyo from Luwaay sub clan clan were injured. The three are also from Baydhabo.

Shine said the bodies of the deceased elders would be flown to Baydhabo for burial while the injured were receiving treatment in Mogadishu hospitals.

The 135 elders were responsible for nominating the members of the parliament in 2012 who in turn elected a new president. In the 2016 elections, the role of the elders was reduced and tasked with selecting delegates from each sub clan who later elected MPs.

Internal Security Minister Mohamed Abdirizak said ten people were killed and 50 others injured. Four Al-Shabaab militants were neutralized by security forces.