afrol News, 8 July - Islamist Al-shabaab movement has today denied being responsible for murder of Somalia head of United Nations development agency, who was shot as he left a mosque near his home in Somali capital, Mogadishu on Sunday evening.

The slain chief of Somali UN office, Osman Ali Ahmed was walking home with his brother and son, when unknown gunmen opened fire on them along with a group of other people. He died on the way to hospital while his brother was severely injured in the attack.

Al-shabaab movement has in turn accused Ethiopian forces in Somalia of carrying out the hit. "All Mujahedeen (fighters) are not behind Osman Ali's killing and it is not becoming of them to kill important persons who help Somali people on whose behalf we are fighting, but enemy of Allah (Ethiopia) are behind his killing," Muqtar Robow Abu Mansuur, spokesman for Al-shabaab Islamist movement told media.

Mr Ahmed's murder is the latest in a string of murders targeting humanitarian and foreign workers in anarchic Mogadishu, which is regarded as one of the most dangerous cities in world.

Somali government officials or the Ethiopian military commanders in Somalia have yet to comment on the latest insurgent allegations.

Insurgent fighters opposed to Somali transitional government and presence of Ethiopian and other foreign forces in Somalia, are said to usually target Ethiopian troops and Somali government officials and forces.

The fighters have been waging guerilla war since a joint Ethiopian and Somali government forces ousted an Islamist administration that had been in control in much of south and central Somalia.

Somali government and Ethiopian troops reportedly accused Al-shabaab movement of threatening national security of Ethiopia and of challenging authority of internationally recognised interim Somali government, which was then based in southern Somali town of Baidoa, 250 km southwest of Mogadishu.

Meanwhile, UN has on Monday condemned brutal murder, adding that it would take urgent measures to ensure protection of its staff in Somalia as well as minimise their exposure to risk, while at the same time maximising the effectiveness of its humanitarian work in the country.

In a statement released yesterday, UN resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden applauded the deceased for the commendable work he did for the agency over the past 14 years.

"Osman Ali Ahmed was a highly respected UNDP staff member who had performed his duties with great courage and commitment. Our condolences and profound sympathy go his family and his brother's," Mr Bowden said.

He added, "If this is indeed another example of a targeted killing of UN and non-UN humanitarian and development workers in Somalia, it is particularly outrageous and worrying at this critical time, when need for humanitarian assistance is rapidly increasing."

UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-Moon, led the world in condemning the killing as an "outrageous" act aimed at undermining humanitarian and peace efforts.

"The killing of Osman Ali Ahmed is a loss not only for UN, but also for Somali people, who are ultimate victims when humanitarian workers and aid officials are targeted in this way," Mr Moon said.

Nur Hassan Hussein, Somalia's prime minister, said killing was a deliberate act aimed at weakening a truce that is less than a month old.

"Insurgents are trying to spoil the agreement signed in Djibouti," Mr Hussein said yesterday.

Recent attacks on aid workers are seen as a blow towards efforts of peace, security and sustainable development in Somalia.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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