UN top Official shot dead in Somalia

Published on Monday 7th July 2008

Somalia: The head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Somalia, Osman Ali Ahmed, was killed by suspected militants on Sunday in the capital city, U.N. official said.

Ahmed was shot after leaving a mosque near his house in Bolohube district, south of Mogadishu.

He later died because of his wounds in the Africa Union peacekeeping forces field hospital, agency report said.

His wife, Nasteho Abukar Yusuf, reportedly said that Ahmed was shot several times in the head and on his chest. She has confirmed the death of his husband.

No one claimed responsibility for the death of Ahmed and the gunmen's motive is still unknown.

Ahmed is the second U.N. casualty aid worker in Somalia in almost one week.