Somali Journalist Wounded after Surviving an Assassination Attempt in Kismayo

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in the strongest terms possible the bullet wound of a Somali freelance journalist in an assassination attempt in the town of Kismayo, 500km south of Mogadishu on Wednesday evening, May 29, 2013, highlighting the risks journalists in Somalia take only to report and inform the public.

Abdulkadir Abdirisak Jama nicknamed “Jiijiile”, who works for Royal Television and Mustaqbal Radio survived from an assassination attempt after unknown assailants armed with pistols shot and wounded him at the face on Wednesday evening between 6 – 7:00pm at Farjano neighborhood and survived from the assassination attempt. He was rushed to Hospital for treatment. A suspect has been caught in connection with the shooting and it is not clear the reason behind the attack.

“He was wounded this evening and a suspect has been caught by the Kismayo administration.” Aweis Haji Nor, Director of Mustaqbal Media Inc. in Mogadishu told NUSOJ.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) outraged about the shooting incident calls prompt investigations into the shooting incident and called for greater protection for the journalists in Kismayo.

“We condemn the shooting of our colleague in the strongest terms possible and call for prompt investigations into the shooting incident against.” Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said, “Journalists should be given enough protection and secure environment where they can exercise their freedom of expression granted by the constitution.”

Abdulkadir Jiijiile was among five journalists arrested by the Raskamboni militias two weeks ago. The journalists were later released after brief detentions.

Serious press freedom violations have been reported including arbitrary arrests, threats, censorship and other violations in Kismayo forcing the journalists to report with fear.

In January this year, Raskamboni militias imposed draconian orders on the journalists and the media in Kismayo. Abdinasir Seeraar, spokesperson for the Raskamboni militias ordered the journalists to come to his office in order to ensure they send the news only favors for them and threatened to take action any journalist who dares to report any news critical to their administration.

The situation in Kismayo worsened following the recent emergence of several rival clan warlords each calling himself as the Jubbaland state president.