National

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is urging greater protection for Somali Members of Parliament (MP) after another parliamentarian was killed in a car bomb attack.

Mohamud Ibrahim Garweyne, MP and former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, was killed and up to six others injured in the attack claimed by Al Shabab on Monday 16 July in Mogadishu.

Somali parliamentarians and government officials are regularly targeted through bomb attacks.

Following the death of several MPs in Dusamareb in May this year, IPU called upon Somali authorities in Mogadishu and outside of the capital to do more to protect MPs from further attacks in the lead up to planned legislative elections in August.

“IPU believes that with much at stake for the country’s future, those working to represent the interests of the people in an extremely challenging environment need particular support and protection,” an IPU statement sent to The New Times reads in part.

The union reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of MPs the world over, especially through its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, which is currently working on helping more than 200 MPs suffering human rights abuses.

Contact email: gashegu.muramira[at]newtimes.co.rw fred.ndoli[at]newtimes.co.rw