UN condemns murder of health workers in Somalia

The UN has condemned the abduction and killing of eight health workers in Middle Shabelle and called for thorough investigations into the incident.

UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator Adam Abdelmoula said in a statement Thursday he was shocked by the murder of the health workers whose bodies were found yesterday in the outskirts of Bal’ad town in Middle Shabelle region.

“Attacks against medical facilities and personnel are unacceptable and a breach of international humanitarian law and any common decency,” said Abdelmoula.

Abdelmoula who is also the deputy UN head in Somalia said it was unfortunate the incident happened at a time Somalia was already battling the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, drought and locust invasion.

He called for ‘transparent and thorough investigations’ into the incident.

HirShabelle state spokesman Daud Irro Thursday laid blame on the militant group Al-Shabaab noting the eight were abducted from their workplaces in Bal’ad town and Gololey village.

The bodies of the eight were found Thursday in Gololey which is located some eight kilometers from Bal’ad town.

There is yet no claim of responsibility for the gruesome murder.