Somalia mourns popular Comedian

Tributes have been pouring in on Social media for the celebrated Somali comedian, actor and TV host Abdi Muridi Dhere, popularly known as Ajakis, who died on Monday in Mogadishu after a short illness.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was among those who sent their condolences.

“President @M_Farmaajo extends his heavy-hearted condolences to the family, relatives and the people of Somalia on the shock death of the popular comedian…” The state-owned Somali National TV said in a tweet.

”Ajakis was a talented comedian who entertained the Somali people, especially the youth,” another user wrote.

Dhere was a host of a live stand-up comedy show, which was broadcast on privately-owned Universal Somali TV.

He also presented a weekly satirical show, where he wryly criticised Somali politicians for their unending political squabbles.

In the past, the show annoyed some of the regional Authorities in Somalia.

In early 2017, the self-declared Republic of Somaliland reportedly arrested Ajakis and the owner of Universal Somali TV, and thereafter banned the television station.

Ajakis was said to have never left the country, even when warlords were battling for the control of the capital and in the past decade as al-Shabab insurgents banned the watching of TV and entertainment.

His hilarious voice featured in many Indian Bollywood films dubbed into the Somali language in the 1990s and early 2000s.

BBC/Shakirat Sadiq