Somali woman MP famed for political songs shot dead by Islamists

A Somali member of parliament famed for political and patriotic songs she sang over decades was shot dead on Wednesday in Mogadishu by Islamist gunmen, a fellow lawmaker and Islamist rebels said.

"Gunmen killed MP Saado Ali Warsame and another clerk for the parliament," legislator Dahir Amin Jesow said, referring to the well-known singer, believed to be in her 70s. She was one of fewer than 30 women MPs in the 275-seat parliament, MPs said.

The Islamist group al Shabaab claimed responsibility.