Two 'Save the Children' aid workers kidnapped in Somalia

[News_Editor]

Two 'Save the Children' aid workers kidnapped in Somalia

2010-10-15 20:53:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

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MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (BNO NEWS) -- Two aid workers with 'Save the Children' in Somalia's central Adado region were kidnapped after Somali gunmen raided the building where they were staying in.

Adado district commissioner Mohamed Adan Tiey confirmed the incident, saying gunmen had abducted a Zimbabwean security consultant for the aid group who also has the British nationality. His Somali aid was also abducted.

According to residents who witnessed the incident, the gunmen arrived in two vehicles and were armed with machine guns and grenades, snatching the victims and driving off.

"At this point, Save the Children has no further information as to the whereabouts or well-being of their staff," the British-based organization said.

On Wednesday, Somali president Sheikh Sharif Ahmed announced the appointing of Mohamed Abdullahi, 48, as the country's new Prime Minister for the transitional government, becoming the first Somali-American to be appointed to this position.

Since 1991, Somalia has not had a stable government and violence in the country has escalated in recent years due to the ongoing clashes between Islamic rebel insurgents (al-Shaabab) and the government of President Ahmed.

Rebels have accused Ahmed of failing to establish order in the East African country and recently demanded for his resignation.

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