Somalia: UN condemns killing of staff member

Nairobi (4 October 2005) - The United Nations has strongly condemned the killing of UN staff member and Somali national Mohamuud Musse Gurage in Kismayo, Lower Juba Region, which occurred last night. Consequently, the UN has relocated 12 national and one international staff member from the area.
Mr. Gurage was returning to his home at approximately 1930 hours on Monday 3 October 2005 when he was shot and killed by two men. His family took him to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Mr. Gurage, who has been the UN area field security coordinating assistant in Kismayo for two years, was 42 years old and married with two children.

The de facto authority in the region, the Juba Valley Alliance (JVA), is investigating the incident.

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Macharia, Information Officer, RC/UNDP Somalia
Tel: (254 20) 4183640/2; Fax: (254 20) 4183641; Email: sandra.macharia@undp.org