The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned in the strongest possible terms, the murder of Abdirisak Warsameh Mohamed, known as Gado' O, journalist of Radio Shabelle, based in Mogadiscio who was shot dead on Thursday, May 21, 2009 near Bakara market in Mogadishu.
“We firmly condemn the murder of our colleague and demand that the murderers be identified and brought to justice,” declared Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office. “The unrelenting killings of journalists in Somalia constitute an attempt to intimidate and silence the press in Somalia.”
According to the director of Radio Shabelle, Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe, Abdirisak was shot in the chest on the morning of Thursday May 21, 2009 very close to the Bakara market as he was crossing the road near the police station of Wardhigley on the way to work. His body was left lying on the road for about 45 minutes as the militias were shooting at rescuers who wanted to give him assistance.
Abdirisak is the third journalist killed in Somalia since the start of the year after the murders of Hassan Mayow Hassan, of Radio Shabelle on January 1stand of Saïd Tahlil, of Radio HornAfrik on February 4th.
This murder happened ten days after a Somali militia chief had threatened with dire consequences journalists whom he considered opposed to his movement.
IFJ calls on the Transitional Government in Somalia, to do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are apprehended and brought to justice. The IFJ would also like to renew its call to the factions in conflict to stop with immediately this intimidation and murderous campaign against journalists.
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The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide