The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned an assassination attempt on Bisharo Mohammed Waeys, a presenter on a popular talk show in Bossasso in Somalia in the north-eastern region of Puntland, and called for an immediate investigation to find out who was responsible for the shooting attack and death threats made against her.

“We condemn this attack on Bisharo and call on the Transitional Federal Government and the authorities of Puntland to conduct an immediate investigation to find out who is responsible and bring charges against them,” said Gabriel Baglo, the Director of IFJ Africa Office. “The government should also provide Bisharo with police protection as long as she is under threat to ensure she is not the victim of any further attacks.”

According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), armed men opened fire on Waeys’s vehicle on the evening of May 4. The journalist, who works for Eastern Television Network (ETN), was not injured and fled to her home.

On May 5, Bisharo received two text messages which said she would be killed if she did not stop broadcasting her talk show.

“We strongly denounce this attack against Bisharo Mohammed Waeys,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General, adding that she was “clearly targeted because of her journalistic profession.”

The IFJ said the attack not only endangers a journalist but is a direct attack on press freedom in Somalia.

“If the government fails to act in this case, it will continue to show that journalists can be attacked with impunity in Somalia and that threats and violence can be used to silence media without any repercussions,” Baglo said. “We do not want to see any more of our colleagues intimidated or assaulted simply for doing their jobs.”

For more information contact the IFJ at + 221 33 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide