IFJ Calls for Solidarity as Surging Wave of Violence Sees Tragic Death of Somali Reporter

The International Federation of Journalists today called on the urgent need for action by the Somali authorities to provide greater protection for journalists following the tragic killing of a young Somali reporter.

On 5 June, unidentified gunmen opened fire on HornAfrik radio journalists Duniya Muhiyadin Nur and Anab Mohamed Yare as they were traveling in a sedan on a road connecting Mogadishu city to Afgoye district of lower Shabelle region, 30 kilometres outside of Mogadishu . Female reporter, Duniya Muhiyadin was immediately admitted to Madiina hospital, but died shortly afterwards due to severe injuries sustained from her bullet wounds. Her colleague, Anab Mohamed Yare survived without serious injury.

“This barbaric killing highlights the security crisis for journalists working in Somalia ,” said Aidan White , IFJ General Secretary”. “It is time for solidarity – both from within the country and from the international community”.

The two journalists were on their way to report on increased barricades of independent militias on the highway between Mogadishu and Afgoye. Due to the increase of these militia roadblocks, the drivers and bus conductors created their own roadblock in a mark of protest and solidarity. They were ordering the people driving on that road to return, but when the sedan of the journalists turned around to avoid the roadblock of angry drivers and bus conductors, a number of unidentified gunmen opened fire on their car.

Duniya Muhiyadin, 26, was a junior reporter of Horn Afrik Radio and a presenter of a program called “ Mogadishu and Today” broadcast on Capital Voice Radio, an FM station owned by HornAfrik Media Corporation. She was a well-loved figure in the community and used to report societal events in the city and carry out interviews with political figures.

According to the IFJ affiliate in Somalia, the Somali Journalists Network (SOJON), the security of journalists in Mogadishu has deteriorated considerably since the formation of the Transitional Federal Institutions in August last year.

“The security of journalists is crucial at the moment, and we will do every thing we can to improve the safety conditions for journalists in cooperation with the local media industry,” said Omar Faruk Osman, SOJON Secretary General.

Both the IFJ and SOJON extend their deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of Duniya Muhiyadin Nur.

The IFJ is calling for a thorough investigation into both the incident surrounding the killing of Muhiyadin and the attack against another veteran journalist Abdalla Nuradin Ahmed also working for HornAfrik who remains hospitalised after he was shot and wounded two weeks ago in Mogadishu .

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The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries