Greater efforts needed to protect MPs in Somalia, IPU says

The body of Somali MP Saado Ali Warsame lies next to a vehicle after being shot dead by gunmen in Mogadishu. She was also a renowned singer of Somali folk music. ©REUTERS/Feisal Omar

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has called for greater efforts to protect MPs in Somalia after the assassination of Saado Ali Warsame, the fourth parliamentarian killed this year by militants in the African country.

Warsame was also a popular singer of Somali folk music. She and her driver were ambushed on Wednesday by gunmen as they were heading to a hotel in Mogadishu.

Somalia’s Al Shabaab, which immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, had earlier this year reportedly threatened to kill the country’s parliamentarians “one by one”.

IPU condemns this reprehensible attack, the latest in a string of attacks against MPs committed to putting in place a fully functional democracy in Somalia after two decades of civil war and unrest.

While acknowledging the extremely challenging security situation in Somalia, IPU says more needs to be done to protect those representing the Somali people. It is urging the international community to help Somalia develop its capacity on this issue.
 
“We are deeply concerned by this continuous targeting of MPs aimed at destabilizing efforts to consolidate democracy. It is also a cynical action and an attempt to threaten and deter political involvement of those who are building a different future for Somalia.” says IPU’s Secretary General, Martin Chungong.

IPU also urges Somali authorities to ensure that those responsible for the attacks on MPs are brought to justice. Impunity can only lead to further violence against the legitimate representatives of the Somali people.

IPU has been closely following the political transition in Somalia and has acknowledged the progress made by the country after parliament was appointed in 2012.

As a result Somalia was able to re-join IPU at its 129th Assembly in Geneva in October 2013.