On the Murder of Abdulqadir Yahya Ali in Somalia

Brussels The International Crisis Group strongly condemns the brutal and tragic murder of Abdulqadir Yahya Ali, the well-known and highly respected peace activist, in Mogadishu today.

"Yahya devoted his life to peace and reconciliation in Somalia", said Crisis Group President Gareth Evans. "His senseless murder is a huge loss to Somali civil society and to the country's future".

Although best known for his work through his own Centre for Research and Dialogue, Yahya also worked from time to time as an independent consultant giving advice and administrative support to Crisis Group. This was a relationship he had with many international NGOs, and he will be sorely missed by all his friends in the international community.

Yahya neither researched nor bore any responsibility for the content of Crisis Group's report on terrorism and counter-terrorism in Somalia, published today.