Ali Ahmed Abdi, 26, was shot dead by hooded gunmen while walking in the Is-Raac neighborhood of northern Galkayo.
(NUSOJ/IFEX) – 4 March 2012 – The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has expressed great shock and outrage over the murder this evening of a young radio journalist in Galkayo, Mudug region. Ali Ahmed Abdi, 26, was shot dead by unknown hooded gunmen while walking in Is-Raac neighborhood of northern Galkayo, near the Hotel Guure. He was a reporter for Radio Galkayo until recently.
“This is an outrageous and brazen act of cruelty committed against a young journalist and his killers must not be held above the law,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
Ali Ahmed Abdi was a member of NUSOJ’s northeastern branch and had been campaigning for justice for journalists, after his colleague Horriyo Abdulkadir of Radio Galkayo was fatally wounded in the same town.
“It is very urgent that those who care about Somalia and its journalism community send a clear message that those who murder, threaten or harm Somali journalists, be they politicians or rogue elements, will be brought to justice and are not immune from prosecution,” said Osman.
“This is a very agonizing period in which we have lost a colleague in every single month of this year. We repeat that targeting Somali journalists for carrying out their professional duties must end and all Somali journalists must be able to work in safe conditions and not fear reprisal,” added Osman.
This death brings the total number of Somali journalists killed this year to three. Abdi sadly becomes the 30th journalist murdered in Somalia since 2007. On 28 February, Abukar Hassan Mohamoud Kadaf, Director of Somaliweyn Radio, was murdered at his home in Mogadishu.
