The events that unfolded in Somalia this week are heartbreaking. The life of a promising young minister, Abas Abdullahi Sheikh, was taken away from him. To make matters worse, his tragic death was a “mistake”. This shines the light on a larger issue in Somalia: the constant conflict plaguing the country since the long-serving ruler Siad Barre was ousted in 1991. When security came across a vehicle blocking the road, they immediately assumed it was an Islamist militant and opened fire. This proves how on edge the soldiers are in this country due to the constant stress of conflict. This opens up the question: what can be done to prevent further accidents such as this one? In my opinion, I believe soldiers should be required to attend further training programs in order to cease the “friendly fire” that occurs among soldiers. Those who accidentally kill, or purposefully kill for that matter, should be removed from the forces and deal with the repercussions until a full investigation is completed. It is frustrating that attention to these matters haven’t been a priority until a public figure was fatally involved. It is important that all Somali people can feel safe within their own borders and not only have to worry about militant islamists but their own security forces. This death, though tragic, will hopefully strike a chord in the hearts of the Somali people and be the spark that ignites more major change.
