On Friday 12th July, Al-Shabaab attacked a hotel in Kismayo, Somalia where a meeting was taking place between local government officials and civil society leaders to discuss the upcoming elections. 26 people were killed in the attack and tragically one of those killed was Abdullahi Isse (known to us as Isse). Isse was the Executive Director of SADO, local partner of Peace Direct.
Dylan Mathews, Peace Direct CEO said:
Peace Direct condemns any attack on civil society and our belief that non-violence is the best way to resolve conflict and secure long-term peace remains firm. This attack demonstrates the urgency of supporting local peacebuilding initiatives like those of SADO, and the need for more dialogue.
We will be working closely with SADO in the coming days and weeks to offer them as much support as we can at this difficult time, and to ensure their great work and the work that Isse wholeheartedly believed in continues.
We stand in solidarity with all those affected by Friday’s attack, and with the people of Kismayo and Somalia. Isse’s memory will live on through all we do, for many years to come.
