Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Somali journalists demonstrate in Mogadishu against an
article carried out by the Guardian newspaper, in which a writer alleged
Somali reporters were corrupt and that many of them were killed for
their involvement in graft. (AFP)
Gunmen shot dead a Somali journalist in the northern town of
Lasanod, the latest of a string of murders targeting reporters and
taking the toll of those killed this year to 16, colleagues said
Wednesday.
Ahmed Farah Ilyas, who was working with the London-based independent Universal television station, was shot several times late Tuesday in the disputed town.
“He was heading home in Lasanod when three men armed with hand guns shot him several times, he died instantly and the gunmen escaped,” said colleague Feysal Jama.
Ahmed Farah Ilyas, who was working with the London-based independent Universal television station, was shot several times late Tuesday in the disputed town.
“He was heading home in Lasanod when three men armed with hand guns shot him several times, he died instantly and the gunmen escaped,” said colleague Feysal Jama.
Lasanod straddles the border
between the self-declared independent state of Somaliland and the
semi-autonomous Puntland region. It is controlled by Somaliland
authorities, but is a volatile and tense region.
The attack comes a day after gunmen seriously wounded a reporter in Somalia’s war-ravaged capital Mogadishu, where reporters have faced repeated attacks.
“We are really shocked because he becomes the first journalist to be killed in Lasanod, something that has happened in Mogadishu looks like it has shifted here now,” added Jama.
Local police official Dahir Adan confirmed the killing, and said that while police were investigating the attack, no arrests had been made.
Press rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called 2012 the “deadliest year” on record for Somalia, surpassing 2009 when nine died.
Several killings are blamed on al-Qaeda linked Shabaab insurgents, but other murders are also believed to be linked to struggles within the multiple factions in power.
The attack comes a day after gunmen seriously wounded a reporter in Somalia’s war-ravaged capital Mogadishu, where reporters have faced repeated attacks.
“We are really shocked because he becomes the first journalist to be killed in Lasanod, something that has happened in Mogadishu looks like it has shifted here now,” added Jama.
Local police official Dahir Adan confirmed the killing, and said that while police were investigating the attack, no arrests had been made.
Press rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called 2012 the “deadliest year” on record for Somalia, surpassing 2009 when nine died.
Several killings are blamed on al-Qaeda linked Shabaab insurgents, but other murders are also believed to be linked to struggles within the multiple factions in power.
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