Leading Somali Comedian Gunned Down

Comedian Abdi Jeylani Malaq Marshale, the leader of Somalia’s comedy scene, was killed late Tuesday. It has been reported that the cause of his death was likely from the jokes he told about the nation’s government and Al-Qaeda.

Marshale was leaving the Kulmiye radio station when two unidentified men shot him in the head and shoulders. Police Lieutenant Mohamed Gaal stated that the assailants escaped and Marshale was later pronounced dead.

Hiiraan Online reported that Marshale received several threats last year from the extremist militant group al-Shabab, a group with known ties to Al-Qaeda. Despite the threats, Marshale helped Somali youth avoid joining insurgency groups, as well as poked fun at and impersonated the al-Shabab on a regular basis.

“He had not done anything wrong to anybody, as far as we are concerned, but they shot him in the head and shoulders,” Kulmiye radio host Yusuf Keynan said. “This is a black day for the entire entertainment industry. He was a leader in Somali comedy.”

It should be noted that in this year alone least one Somali journalist has been targeted and killed each month. However no one has been brought to justice for any of the murders this year or for any from the past.

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