Mogadishu – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, condemned the killing of Mr. Abdiaziz Isaaq Mursal, a Member of the country’s Federal Parliament. Mr. Mursal was shot dead earlier today in Mogadishu by unknown gunmen.

Mr. Mursal is the second MP to be killed in less than 48 hours in Mogadishu. Another Somali parliamentarian, Mr. Isaak Mohamed Rino, was killed yesterday. Both attacks have been claimed by Al-Shabaab.

“I am appalled to learn of the death of Mr. Abdaziz Isaaq Mursal and I condemn his murder in the strongest terms. I was also saddened by the killing of a media worker in Mogadishu last night. The media must be allowed to carry out their work without fear of attack,” SRSG Kay said.

Unknown gunmen shot dead a Radio Dalsan worker, Muhammad Hassan Amar in Mogadishu's Bakara Market on Monday evening.

Mr. Kay continued to say, “I am concerned by the recent attacks we have seen in Mogadishu. We remain resolute in our support for the Somali people and their representatives as they work to realise their hopes and aspirations for a peaceful and stable future."

"The people responsible for these heinous crimes have nothing to offer the Somali people but violence and insecurity. I call on the authorities to investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice as quickly as possible,” he added.

SRSG Kay offers his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mursal and Mr. Amar, as well as to the Federal Parliament of Somalia and the country's media fraternity.