A high ranking Somali military officer whose name was identified as Mohamed Momin was on Wednesday morning shot dead at Holwadag village in Baladweyn town the headquarters of Hiraan region in central Somalia.
The officer was shot dead while he was engaged in mediating armed militiamen who have been combating in Baladweyn town for the past three days.
The man who opened fire at the officer was immediately after the shooting apprehended. The killing of this military officer comes at a time when high ranking Somali government and regional level official are engaged in arbitrating the armed militias of the two tribes.
“We are very sorry of the sudden death of the officer and that will not be an obstacle to the mediation process we are here for, and soon with the will of God we shall out the differences between the two tribes” said Abdikarim Gulled the president of Galmudug state speaking to the English department of Radio Dalsan over the phone.
Tribal fighting in Baladweyn town become so routine and the current when commenced from collecting tax from the lorries in the town of Baladweyn despite Somali government is present in the town yet armed militiamen collect taxes.
Radio Dalsan
Mohamed Omar Hussein
