A popular Somali comedian and playwright who mocked Islamist militants for brainwashing children and killing civilians has been shot dead. 43-year-old TV and radio comedian Abdi Jeylani Malaq was killed Tuesday by two young men near his Mogadishu home. His colleague, Abdi Muridi Dhere, said Malaq's death is heartbreaking. He said the killing has sent Mogadishu back to the "dark days." This year alone, several journalists have been killed in Somalia in what appears to be targeted killings. Dhere says that the government needs to provide better security.
The human rights group Amnesty International has demanded that Somali authorities and the international community take action to re-establish the rule of law in Somalia.
