Somali Activist Shot, Killed by Stray Bullet

A prominent aid worker and activist has died after she was shot on Wednesday, 20 November, in Somalia’s capital city.

At the time of her death, Almaas Elman Ali – a Somali-Canadian citizen whose family is well-known for their activism in the eastern African country – was travelling by car in Mogadishu’s Halane compound.

The heavily fortified compound flanks the city’s international airport, and is populated by African Union troops and United Nations representatives.

According to Mohamed Omar, a security official, the car carrying Elman was driving “along a road inside the airport” when a stray bullet hit the activist.

A freelance videographer named Said Fadhaye claimed to be in the car with Elman – describing the events as an “attack”, he said Elman “died on my lap” from the bullet wound.

Gunfire is a common occurrence in Mogadishu. However, Omar says there was not any gunfire in the airport or in nearby areas prior to Elman’s death.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the shooting, although Somalian outlets believe that Elman was deliberately targeted. The investigation continues.

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