Reports reaching the desk of Africa Today News, New York has it that the longest-serving woman in Somali politics has died after a brief illness.
Khadijo Mohamed Diriye died in Djibouti on Wednesday evening.
She had been in politics – a male-dominated field – for almost three decades.
At the time of her death, she was serving as the Minister for Women and Human Rights Development.
Deputy Information Minister Abdirahman Yusuf al-Adalah told the BBC that Minister Khadija was admitted to hospital while attending a conference with government officials in nearby Djibouti. She subsequently underwent surgery.
The Somali government says it will issue an official statement but many officials have already posted messages of condolence on their social media platforms.
Read Also: Uganda Sacks Army Officers For Cowardice In Attack On Somalia
Information minister Daud Aweis wrote: ‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Somali people and the family of the late Minister of Women and Human Rights, Khadija Mohamed Diriye.
‘Her passing in Djibouti is a significant loss. May Allah grant her mercy.’
In another report, a military court in Uganda has found two officers guilty of cowardice as Islamist fighters stormed an African Union base sometime in Somalia in May.
The Majors whose names were given as Zadock Abor and John Oluka ran away after they came under attack by al-Shabab in Bulo Marer, south of the capital Mogadishu.
According to officials, no fewer than 50 Ugandan soldiers were killed.
Africa Today News, New York understands that Uganda is part of the African Union force helping Somalia’s government fight al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate.
The attack on Bulo Marer was one of the deadliest for the African Union force, Atmis, since it launched a new offensive against al-Shabab last year.
Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, criticised his military for its response.