Death of aviation worker sparks row in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The death of a seasoned aviation officer has sparked yet another conflict in Somalia, with the breakaway region of Somaliland suspecting foul play just as the country struggles with internal strife including the recent controversial deal signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland.

In a statement, Somaliland’s Civil Aviation and Airports Authority said it’s urgently reviewing the situation of workers from Somaliland who are currently working for the Somali Civil Aviation Authority as part of the then civil aviation caretaker program created by ICAO according to a statement by Somaliland TV.

The statement comes moments after police in Mogadishu recovered the dead body of Abdinasir Muse Abdirahman, an employee of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority who was born in Somaliland. Police said six suspects have been arrested and an investigation is underway.

Without giving evidence, officials in Somaliland have blamed the federal government of Somalia for the death of the civil aviation employee whose body was found in a house in southern Mogadishu on Sunday.

Reached out by VOA, Deputy Info Minister Abdurahman Yusuf Al-Addala says Somalia police are conducting an investigation and have arrested suspects; he says the government will wait for the outcome of that investigation before commenting.

A report seen by Garowe Online shows that the deceased was found in his residence within the El Qaalow neighbourhood, Wadajir district. Muse, 32, was born in Gebiley, northwest [Somaliland] and worked at the Somali Civil Aviation Authority.

The incident comes at the time Somalia is at loggerheads with authorities in the region of Somaliland, who recently signed a deal with Ethiopia. The deal, details made public indicate, would see Ethiopia getting 20 kilometers of Red Sea in exchange for Somaliland's recognition as a sovereign state.

GAROWE ONLINE