IFJ condemns "brutal murder" of Somali journalist

Dakar, Senegal (PANA) – The global media rights body, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), on Wednesday condemned the “brutal murder” of a Somali journalist, Abukar Hassan Mahamoud, PANA reports  from here Thursday.

In a statement issued by IFJ’s regional Africa Office, based in Dakar, the media rights body also called for the killers of the journalist to be brought to book quickly.

Mr. Mahamoud, who was also known as Kadaf, was the Director of Somaliweyn Radio Station and he was shot several times by two gun men at his home in Hawa-Tako neighbourhood of Wadajir district in Mogadishu on Tuesday, 28th February.

"The murder of Abukar Hassan is another wake-up call to the International community and the Somali Transitional Government to redouble their efforts in providing safety and protection of journalists in Somali," Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Director for Africa, remarked.

"These acts of mindless violence can no longer be tolerated and everything possible must be done by the Transitional Government with the help of the world community to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against journalists are apprehended and brought to justice as soon as possible."

According to IFJ, the slain journalist’s family and colleagues believe that Mr. Mahamoud’s killing was linked to his efforts at re-opening Somaliweyn broadcasts after the Al-Shabab raided the station located in Shibis district in the north of Mogadishu.

The media rights body further expressed its support for demands for an independent inquiry into the recent murders of journalists in Somalia.

It says Mohamoud is the second journalist killed in Somalia since the start of the year, following the murder of Hassan Osman Abdi, Director of Shabelle Media Network, who was shot dead last month in the same district.

The IFJ Director added "The Transitional Government can no longer stand idle as journalists are put to the sword on the streets of Mogadishu."

“The Government must act now to stop this bloodbath which undermines public confidence and trust in the ability of the authorities to restore law and order in the country."
-0- PANA MLJ/VAO 1March2012