IFJ Expresses Dismay over Serial Killing of Journalists in Somalia

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today expressed total dismay at the unprecedented and unabated killings of Somali journalists. Radio journalist, Ali Ahmed Abdi, 26 who once worked with Radio Galkayo, was shot and killed by hooded gunmen while walking in the Raac neighbourhood of northern Galkayo in the Mudag region on Sunday, 4 March, 2012.

 

“The unprecedented killings of journalists in Somalia is totally disheartening and depicts an act of barbarism from misguided elements on innocent working citizens” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office.  “These coward killers who are bent on undermining all acts of civility must be tracked down and brought to justice with immediate effect”.

 

According to a statement issued by NUSOJ,  IFJ Affiliate in Somalia, this death brings the total number of Somali journalists killed  this year to three (3)  while Abdi sadly becomes the 30th journalist murdered in Somalia since 2007.  It could be recalled that on 28 February, Abukar Hassan Mohamoud Kadaf, Director of Somaliweyn Radio, was murdered at his home in Mogadishu. 

 

The IFJ once again called on the Transitional Somali Government, The International Community and the African Union in particular, to act with tenacity in guaranteeing the protection of life and property in Somalia.  The killing of journalists with impunity can no longer be tolerated as it had placed a price on the head of every journalist in Somalia.   A drastic and immediate step must be taken by the authorities concerned in bringing the perpetrators of these inhumane crimes to justice.

  

For more information, please contact IFJ on +221- 33 867 95 87
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 131 countries