Mogadishu — The national union of Somali journalists is shocked by the murder of a radio journalist in the central Somalia town of Beletwein on Thursday afternoon, the latest in a string of attacks against journalists in Somalia.
Witnesses said that three masked assailants shot to death Radio Shabelle correspondent in the town of Beletwein of Hiran region, at Howlwadag District around 04:45pm local time, April 5, 2012. The journalist, identified as Mahad Salad Adan, “Mahad Jarmal”, 25, was shot near his home in Beletwein, controlled by the Transitional Federal government Somalia and allied militias backed by the Ethiopian troops who recently helped the government push the Shabab out from several key towns including Beletwein. The journalist had also freelanced to several Somali news websites.
the assailants immediately escaped from the scene, though the town’s security forces reportedly chased and killed one of the assailants.
It is not yet clear the reason behind the killing and no group has yet to claim.
“We condemn the strong terms possible and call for urgent investigation into the killings of journalists which the latest took place in Beletwein today.” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “The targeted killings against the journalists is only meant to silence the voice of the Somali journalists who are giving voice to the voiceless, therefore, We call for the government to investigate the murders against the journalists and bring to an end this culture of impunity on the rise..”
“We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues of late Adan, who might suffered this tragedy.” Mr. Ibrahim added.
Late Mahad Salad Adan became the fourth journalist killed in Somalia this year alone. He is survived by a wife and two month old daughter.
On Wednesday, 10 Somali Journalists were wounded, some in critical condition when a suicide bomber attacked a ceremony on the aniversary of the Somali National Television at the National Theatre. among the dead were two prominent peace activitists; the head of the Somali football federation, Said Mohamed Mugambe, and the head of the country’s Olympic committee, Adan Hagi Yabarow Wish.
allafrica.com
