LONDON TAUGHT ME TO BE MAYOR OF MOGADISHU

[Cali_Gaab]

Former Islington council worker is transforming the war-torn capital of Somalia despite death threats from Islamic extremists.

Mohamoud Ahmed Nur, 55, has been mayor of Mogadishu, one of the world's most dangerous cities, for nine months. He is battling against terror group al Shabab, which is aligned with al Qaeda and is at war with the Somali government.

Mr Nur, who lived in Camden until becoming an MP in his home country in 2009, returned to London this week to meet his "political hero" Ken Livingstone. He said that Mr Livingstone said he may send used London buses to Somalia if he wins next year's election.

He said: "I was a great supporter of him. I once stood as a councillor in Camden and was a Labour Party activist for many years. It has completely inspired the way I have gone about my job in Mogadishu."

His job as an employment adviser with Islington council inspired him to go home to become a politician.

Mr Nur, whose wife Shamis Elmi still lives in London with their six children and seven grandchildren, said: "The people of Mogadishu used to live in fear. They used to live in garbage and filth. We want to free them from that. It has been 20 years of intensive civil war, 20 years of intensive chaos. People accepted that.

"When I first took office my enemies used to call me every night and say 'you will die, tomorrow you will die'.

"Seeing what was going on in north London made me realise what I could do in Mogadishu. I saw the regeneration of King's Cross. It used to be dark, dirty and full of drugs and prostitutes. The main parts of Mogadishu haven't had electric lighting for 20 years.

"I put lights in the markets and the main streets and it has made a huge difference."

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/ ... gadishu.do

[Cali_Gaab]

Lol@ the replies.

"6 children and seven grandchildren left in London??"


"I guess that shows how much faith he has in turning his country round. NIL."


"He also introduced a music festival in Mogadishu and when the marching bands were on the warlords who control most of the city/town turned up and killed about eight people, including the band leader. His respone was that we'll do it again next year!

One thing I agree with him doing was trying to get Somalis living in London to return. I'm particular in favour of this as there's an estimated 20Ok in London and the unemployment rate runs at around 80-90%. factor in that they knock out kids like there's no tomorrow and you can see what a drain they are on the public purse!"


"Another reason not to vote for Ken Livingstone."


"I've heard that some of the pirate cash finds its way bck to Britain, which explains the expensive baby buggies they all appear to push. My husband says it's good thing though, because at least it is going into the British economy."


"Who picks up the tab for the kids and grand kids give the bill to Ken"