Armed gunmen shot and killed Mr. Sharif Mukhtar, who  has been a long term member of the Somali Disability Empowerment Network (SODEN) for the implementation and the delivery of non-political and non-profit humanitarian aid services for people with disabilities in the Southwest State of Somalia. He served as a lead for people who are in dire need of social justice, According to a press statement released by the Somali Disability and Empowerment Network (SODEN)


Mr. Sharif Mukhtar who was a wheelchair user. Mr. Mukhtar has been a very key prominent human rights activist who actively advocated for the rights of people with disabilities in the Southwest State of Somalia. He lived in one of the IDP camps in Baidoa town.

Somali militant group Al-Shabab, an Alqaeda affiliate, immediately claimed the responsibility of the attack.

"we are extremely saddened to hear the killing of this Human Rights activist and we express our sincere heartfelt sympathy and condolence to the family members, friends and colleagues of Mr. Sharif Mukhtar. Our prayers are with him and may Allah grant him Jannat Firdausi” Somali Disability and Empowerment Network (SODEN) said "On behalf of all people with disabilities in Somalia and Human rights defenders, we strongly condemn this killing of this innocent man who never worked with government entities unless advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.” Somali Disability and Empowerment Network (SODEN)

” It is with a great loss for people with disabilities for the killing of Mr. Mukhtar and people like Mukhtar will remain in the hearts of many Somali individuals who are suffering under the unjust society and criminal people who brutally murdered him. Any act of terror against people like Mr. Sharif Mukhtar will not hinder our strategy in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.” SODEN statement added.

People with Disabilities (PWDs) remain the most vulnerable members of the communities. SODEN, as a representative organization of the people living with disabilities (PWDs) in Somalia appealed to the law enforcement units such as the Somali Police Force (SPF) and National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) to investigate this case and bring the criminals to justice. SODEN is very confident that these criminals will be brought to justice one day.