Mogadishu July 11, (CRD-Somalia) - Today marks the first anniversary of the tragic death of the late Abdulkadir Yahya Ali, It was year ago to day, on 11th July 2005, when he shot dead by gunmen who stormed his home in Mogadishu.

Yahya was a tireless champion of peace and reconciliation, whose ideas and vision have inspired many Somalis across the country and throughout the world. UN Secretary Genera Kofi Annan referred Yahya as symbol of hope for Somalia people.  "Mr Yahya had devoted many years to foster peace and reconciliation in his country and was widely respected by his countrymen and by many in the international community," Mr Annan said.

Yahya’s life and work as a Somali peace activist will be celebrated in different parts of this world, including Mogadishu, Baidio, Washington, London, Toronto, and Melbourne Australia.  As apart of Yahya’s commemoration, football tournaments in Yahya’s name will be held in London, Mogadishu and Toronto. The commemoration and celebration of Yahya’s life will run between July 9-20th, 2006

In commemoration of Yahya’s life and his deep commitment to peace, Yahya’s scholarship fund will be awarded to Somali students attending Universities inside Somalia.

“It is the Somali state that failed, not the Somali people”
Abdulkadir Yahya Ali

For further information please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Source: CRD Somalia, July 11, 2006