Abdirahman Omar Osman, wounded on July 24 in an attack carried out by Islamist al-Shabaab militants in the Somali capital, died in a hospital in Doha, Qatar, where he had been transferred, announced the Somali presidency on Thursday, August 1.

The Somali president ordered three days of national mourning and for flags to be lowered to half-mast following the announcement of the mayor's death.

"He had sacrificed his life in the service of the Somali public and he had contributed to rebuilding Somalia's government, reacted Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. […] He will be remembered for his dedication to serving the people and the country, and for his determination to develop Mogadishu while fully playing his role in the fight against terrorism."

On July 24, al-Shabaab carried out a suicide attack against Mogadishu's city hall, causing the death of at least six people and wounding six others. According to a security source, a suicide bomber entered the building where a meeting was taking place and detonated himself. The mayor of Mogadishu was transferred to Doha the day after the attack.

► Also read: Six dead in attack on Mogadishu mayor's office

This attack had taken place barely an hour after James Swan, the UN's special representative in Somalia, had visited the mayor.

(with AFP)