It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman after a targetted attack on the Mayor’s office in Mogadishu. The attack killed 8 government officials. As Mayor Osman had been fighting for his life on Thursday 1 August 2019, Osman had died in Qatar, where he had been airlifted for treatment after the attack on 24 July.
Abdirahman Omar Osman was a naturalised Briton who returned to Somalia to help rebuild the war-torn country. Mayor Osman had already registered as participant for the GPM annual Summit in Durban, South Africa, and was present at the GPM Summit in Bristol, UK last year. We express our sincerely condolences and deepest sympathy to the Mayors family, friends, loved ones, and colleagues of those who have perished in this time of mourning for Mogadishu, Somalia and all the victims of political violence and acts of hatred.
The Global Parliament of Mayors strongly condemns all acts of violence. We endeavour for a safer, inclusive and sustainable world by strengthening the rights of cities and enhancing the solidarity among city leaders. The GPM continues to uphold the core values of peace, freedom of speech, and of expression to combat hatred and violence.
Our thoughts and support are with the Mayor, the citizens and the strong community of Mogadishu.