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03.05.2012 Somalia

Somalia: Unknown Gunmen Shot to Death a Journalist in Galkacyo, the fifth killed this year

03.05.2012 LISTEN
By National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 3, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The National Union of Somali Journalists Condemns in the strongest terms possible the Shooting to death of a radio journalist in the Central Somalia town of Galkacyo, the fifth journalist killed in Somalia in this year alone in the latest of string of attacks against the journalists.

Unknown gunmen shot to death Farhan Jeemis Abdulle, who was a newscaster at Daljir Radio and a reporter for the Mogadishu based SIMBA Radio, at Jiiro(alley) Kuwait in Garsoor village controlled by the Puntland administration, on Wednesday night around 7:30pm.

He was immediately rushed for the Galkacyo General hospital where he was confirmed died. Abdulle left his work place and heading home, when unknown gunmen shot him four times, according to Abdifatah Omar Ghedi,.Director of Daljir Radio in Galkacyo,

“ It was 15 minutes past when I was speaking to Mr. Abdulle, while he was on way home and got shocked,” Abdifatah Omar Ghedi,.Director of Daljir Radio in Galkacyo said, “He was working for Daljir Radio since it was founded and was one of the best journalists, I had worked with.”

No group has claimed the responsibility of the murder.

The National Union of Somali Journalists believes that it is deliberate attack on journalists and the media meant to silence them and called on the journalists to continue working and not let the criminals silence the media and the journalists.

“It is very unfortunate incident happening again only to silence the journalists and incapacitate the freedom of expression.” Burhan Dahir, President of the Supreme Council of the National Union of Somali Journalists said, “The criminals want to put pressure on the media and journalists and prove they are able to kill journalists.”

“We mourn for the loss of our colleague whose body is at the General Hospital in Galkacyo now and we are planning to bury on Thursday around 7:00am.” Mr. Dahir added.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemned the murder of the journalist in the strongest terms possible and calls for the Puntland administration to take urgent investigation into the killing of the journalist and bring the killers to court. NUSOJ sends condolences to the families and friends and colleague of late Farhan.

“It is unacceptable that journalists are targeted for their reported and are killed cold blooded murder,” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “We demand urgent investigation in to the murder of the journalist and the killers must not be let free”

“On behalf of the Somali Journalists, We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, colleague and friends of late Farhan and Ask Allah to rest his soul in peace.”

Born in 21 October, 1985, late Farhan Jeemis Abdulle, has worked in Daljir radio for more than 7 years as a reporter, newscaster and producer and also worked as SIMBA Radio correspondent based in Galkacyo. He survived a wife and three children.

According to local journalists, Radio Daljir was recently airing stories critical to the Shabab which affiliated to Al-Qaeda and might have targeted the journalist for his reporting.

Late Farhan is the second journalist killed in Galkacyo this year alone. 4 March, 2012, Unknown assailants shot Ali Ahmed Abdi, a journalist for a news website and Radio Galkayo in the town of Galkayo in central Somalia On 5 April, Mahad Salad Adan, correspondent Shabelle radio was shot dead by three attackers in the town of Beletweyne near the border with Ethiopia. No one has ever been brought to justice for such killings.

The murder occurs hours after the National Union of Somali Journalists

(NUSOJ) organized the International World Press Freedom Day in the town of Galkacyo in collaboration with the Puntland Ministry of Information. The event which was funded by United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) was focused on the Safety of the journalists: challenges and strategies. Similar event will take place in Mogadishu on Thursday.

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