Two Somali Journalists Killed
Mogadishu Continues to Be One of World's Most Dangerous Cities
Six journalists have died in the past year in Somalia and although two suspects have been apprehended in these latest killings, Mogadishu remains insecure.
Two of Somalia's most prominent independent journalists were slain in Mogadishu on August 11. Mahad Ahmed Elmi and Ali Iman Sharmarke were both targeted in what colleagues say was a deliberate attack against the media. The National Union of Somali Journalists referred to the slayings as "an intentionally organized mission to silence journalistic voices in Somalia."
The two men worked for the independent media organization, Horn Afrik, known for its outspoken criticism of both the Transitional Federal Government and Islamist insurgents who controlled much of southern Somalia last year until they were ousted in December by Ethiopian forces supporting the interim government.
Mahad Ahmed Elmi was killed on his way to work by two gunmen. Elmi, a popular talk show host, was shot four times in the head at close range outside of his offices. Later the same day, Ali Iman Sharmarke, co-founder of HornAfrik, was killed by a remote-controlled mine. Sharmarke was returning from Elmi's funeral when his vehicle struck an explosive device.
Earlier, Sharmarke had expressed outrage at the death of his colleague. "It demonstrates the conditions that Somali reporters are working under," he told Reuters prior to the funeral. "The perpetrators want to silence our voices in order to commit their crimes."
According to the city's mayor, Mohammed Omar Habeeb Dheere, two suspects have been arrested by government troops and are being questioned by police forces. Dheere told journalists that one of the men has already confessed to his involvement in the murders. Dheere also urged journalists not to be intimidated by these attacks.
Journalists in Somalia
The worldwide press organization, Reporters Without Borders, called on the Somali government to defend members of the media.
"The transitional government must take urgent steps to protect journalists and thoroughly investigate and punish these murders to prevent further killings," it said, adding that "Somalia is already this year the most deadly country in Africa for the media."
Six journalists have been killed in Somalia during the last year, while many others have been attacked . Journalists in Somalia risk their lives daily, suffering violent assaults and harassment in Mogadishu, one of the world's most dangerous cities.
The International Federation of Journalists also released a statement expressing their despair. "These savage killings are an indicator of the perilous conditions facing journalists in Somalia, where chaos and lawlessness threaten independent journalism."
Horn Afrik
Horn Afrik is one of Somalia's most popular media groups, offering radio, television and Internet news to Somalis. Founded in 1999, Sharmarke intended the outlet to be a way of restoring free speech to a country that has been plagued by anarchy since 1991. Horn Afrik has experienced enormous success despite being shelled in April and shut down several times.
