Leaders ambushed while on peace mission

Leaders on a peace mission in Burmayo village, Wajir County were on Sunday ambushed by armed militia suspected to have come into the country from neighbouring Ethiopia.

The leaders, led by Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Senator Abdirahman Ali Hassan and area MP Mohammed Ibrahim Elmi had been assessing the aftermath of clashes in a village when they were attacked. 

Sources say the peace mission was halted after the leaders who were escorted by administration and regular police were forced to flee after being ambushed by the militia. 

There were no fatalities but several people, among them security officers, were injured in the ensuing chaos. 

At least 20 people have been killed and more injured in nearly three weeks of armed conflict between communities.

Later while at the Wajir County Commissioner's office, the leaders called for an emergency crisis meeting to discuss the security situation.