Credit: twitter.com/engyarisow /   The late Mayor of Mogadishu Abdirahman Omar Osman 

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  The United Nations envoy in Somalia mourns the  death  of Mayor of Mogadishu Abdirahman Omar Osman, who died from injuries he sustained in a terrorist attack in the Horn  of Africa nations’ in capital city last week. The attack was carried out by a female suicide bomber on July 24  targeting the offices of the mayor of Mogadishu,  killing at least seven Government officials and injuring several others.  The female bomber blew herself up inside the office of Mayor Osman during a security meeting.

“Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Engineer Yarisow, who was long dedicated to helping his country on its path to peace and stability, and meeting the needs of Mogadishu’s most vulnerable. His life reflected a deep commitment to Somalia and his loss is felt by all of us. His work must be continued, and those responsible must be brought to justice.”

-UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.

James Swan, the new UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, receives a guard of honor mounted by the UN Guard Unit upon his arrival at Aden Abdulle International Airport, Mogadishu, Somalia, on 25 June 2019. (UN Photo / Ilyas Ahmed)

The  new UN envoy to war-torn Horn of Africa nation Somalia James Swan was the  intended target of a female suicide bomber ‘s deadly terror attack  in the  capital city Mogadishu, AP reported.  

Credit: Wikipedia Commons / ShiningStarSomalia1960 /  Mogadishu City Hall, where the mayor’s office is located.. Female suicide bomber on July 24  targeted the offices of the mayor.

African Union Diplomat For Somalia Issues Statement on the Death of Mogadishu Mayor Osman 

“Terrorists should be aware that  their cowardly attack will not break the people’s resolve to forge ahead.”

-AU Ambassador Madeira 

I have received with great sadness the news of the passing of Mayor of #Mogadishu, H. E. Abdirahman Omar Osman. I extend deep-felt condolences to the bereaved family of the mayor, the population of Mogadishu and to the people of #Somalia. Read my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/KCtIG83eCy

— Ambassador Madeira (@AmbFMadeira) August 1, 2019

Osman fled Somalia in the early 1990s as a refugee, before achieving a postgraduate degree and UK citizenship. He also worked as a housing manager in the London borough of Ealing.

He returned to Somalia in 2008, where he served as information minister before becoming mayor of Mogadishu last year.