Mahad Ali Mohamed was hit in the head by a stray bullet as he left his house for work in Galkayo. He is the third journalist to be killed in Somalia in this year.
This statement was originally published on ifj.org on 8 November 2016.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), have today strongly condemned the killing of journalist Mahad Ali Mohamed in Central Somalia.
According to NUSOJ, Mahad Ali Mohamed who was working for Radio Codka Mudug (Voice of Mudug Radio) was seriously wounded in the head on Sunday morning after a stray bullet hit him as he was leaving his house for work. He was rushed to Galkayo Hospital where he succumbed to the wound he sustained and was pronounced dead.
There is a renewed armed conflict between forces loyal to Puntland and Galmudug states which are part of Somalia federal states. Both regional administrations claim the control of Galkayo town.
In presenting NUSOJ’s condolences to Mahad’s family and friends, NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman said, “We urge all journalists working in Mudug region, particularly in Galkayo, to exercise maximum caution while performing their professional duties. The escalation of violence that has now hit Galkayo is getting unbearable. Puntland and Galmudug authorities must stop the war and give dialogue a chance so that the bloodshed stops”.
“We mourn the death of our colleague Mahad Ali Mohamed who was murdered in a senseless war in central Somalia. We are deeply concerned about the renewed violence in Galkayo which puts journalists’ lives in danger. We urge journalists in Mudug region to be vigilant and protect themselves” said Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary.
Mahad Ali Mohamed is the third journalist murdered in Somalia in this year. Galkayo is the second most deadly town in Somalia for journalists, according to the National Union of Somali Journalists.
IFJ stands in full solidarity with its affiliate NUSOJ and particularly endangered journalists in Mudug region who are working amidst deadly violence.
