MRG ‘shocked and saddened’ by death of Somali Ambassador to UN

MRG was greatly shocked and saddened to hear of the death of the Ambassador of Somalia to the UN, His Excellency Yusuf Mohamed Ismail (informally known as Ambassador Yusuf Bari Bari). The Ambassador was killed in an attack by insurgents on the Hotel Maka al-Mukarama in Mogadishu on Friday 27th March 2015.

The Ambassador recognised the marginalisation of minorities in Somalia and was supportive of minorities’ efforts to tackle discrimination and gain equality and participation in decision making. The Ambassador was a speaker at two recent events organised by MRG and our partner IIDA in recent months: a side event at the UN in Geneva in November 2014 drawing attention to the particular vulnerability of minority women in Somalia; and the launch of a report on Minority Women in Somalia in Nairobi in January 2015.

The Ambassador spoke frankly and constructively and called for a continuing dialogue on this important issue. He will be very greatly missed. MRG would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues.