An IDP samosa vendor woman among two shot dead by police enforcing curfew in Somalia capital

Visits: 1550
(Rating 0.0/5 Stars) Total Votes: 0
0 0
Share via Social Media

An IDP samosa vendor woman among two shot dead by police enforcing curfew in Somalia capital

MOGADISHU (Horn Observer) On Friday evening, Madina Abdullahi Abdi, 19-years-old displaced woman has heard that police enforcing an extended night curfew was approaching to her area at Mogadishu's Bondhere district. She hastily wrapped up her la

Share

Fadumo Hussein Mohamed, mother of Madina who was shot dead by the police in Mogadishu on Friday poses for a photo on Saturday 25 April, 2020 (Photo: Horn Observer)

MOGADISHU (Horn Observer) On Friday evening, Madina Abdullahi Abdi, 19-years-old displaced woman has heard that police enforcing an extended night curfew was approaching to her area at Mogadishu's Bondhere district. She hastily wrapped up her large plate of samosa which she vendored and went indoors. Then she returned back to pick some utensils sh forgot outside.

"After breaking fasting, we came indoors. She (Madina) returned back to collect utensils. I heard gunshots. I rushed out. I saw Madina lying on the ground. I called by her name. She only responded Aaaah," Faduma, mother of 19-yrs-old woman shot dead by police in #Mogadishu pic.twitter.com/L5YXUkGvi1
— Abdalle Ahmed Mumin (@Cabdalleaxmed) April 25, 2020

"We all went indoors. Madina returned back to collect some utensils. I've heard gunshots. When I came out to check, she [Madina] was lying on the ground. I called by her name Madina! She only responded aaah," Madina's mother, Faduma Hussein Mohamed told Horn Observer on Saturday as violent protests rocked the Horn of African capital.

Madina died helplessly on the watch of her mother leaving two kids: a one and half year son Hassan and 29-days-old daughter Fartun. The police also shot dead a young man, Hassan Ali, 20, who was sitting outside his home in the same location of Jubba Junction, a predominantly displacement neighbourhood.

"I caught the police officer who was holding his gun. I told him not to leave. Then other officers came and arrested him," Faduma says as she holds her tears back. "She was our breadwinner. She used to sell samosa and earn us a living."

Angry demonstrators take to the streets of #Mogadishu to protest over the killing of two unarmed civilians on Friday night by police. #Somalia pic.twitter.com/DblPE8az5K
— Abdulaziz Billow Ali (@AbdulBillowAli) April 25, 2020

On Saturday, members of the two families gathered for the funeral as the bodies were transported on trucks for burial and while protesters continued to block city's main roads including the one leading to Madina's home denying the Mayor of Mogadishu access to condole Madina's family.

NIGHT CURFEW

Protesters demanded the Mayor to remove the night curfew imposed three weeks ago and has been extended on Wednesday to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Late on Saturday afternoon as the mostly young men and women demonstrators were overpowered by police using buttons, teargas and sometimes live ammunition, Somali police chief announced that the night curfew was moved back to 8p.m local time instead of 7p.m.

"We've ordered police to start the curfew at 8p.m and do not people going their homes," General Abdi Hassan Hijar said in a press briefing.

Meanwhile, the police said they have arrested the officer who shot Madina and Hassan dead on Friday and sacked his commander.

But Madina's mother demands justice from the top leadership of Somali government.

"I'm a displaced mother. My daughter was a divorcee. Now she is killed by the police. I want president Farmajo and his Prime Minister to ensure we get justice. We don't need lip service justice, we need real justice. Police have become cruel people," she ends.

(HORN OBSERVER)