RantCrush Top 5: May 4, 2017

Somali security forces reportedly shot and killed a 31-year-old government minister sitting in his car, after mistaking him for a militant Islamist. Abas Abdullahi Sheikh grew up in a refugee camp, and in November he became the country’s youngest member of parliament, before advancing to minister in February. A lot of people admired him for what he accomplished, and some believed he might have been destined for the presidency.

I cannot forget the jubilation in Dadaab when he made it to parliament. He set the way; he showed us what a refugee can do.

— Asad Hussein (@asadhussein_) May 3, 2017

Security forces allegedly came across a car blocking the road and believed it was being driven by militants. Without confirming their suspicions, they opened fire, killing the young minister. Somalia has been battling the terror group al-Shabab for years and troops have previously shot officials by accident, as well as each other. The killing has caused outrage at the widespread violence in Somalia.

A lot of innocent people have been killed by overzealous bodyguards, it might take tonight’s tragedy to address this seriously. #Somalia

— Fatuma (@Fatumaabdulahi) May 3, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.