NUSOJ Condemns attack on journalist in northern Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia, July 13, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today condemned the beating by security guards of regional governor of a TV journalist who was covering presidential campaign in Port town of Bossasso.

Ahmed Muse Ali, known Ahmed Jokar, who is reporter and representative of private Royal TV network was violently beaten on Thursday, 12 July, by security guards of Abdisamad Mohamed Gallan, governor of Puntland's Bari region in northeastern Somalia, at International Village Hotel in Bossasso where the presidential campaign of one of the candidates standing for election of Somali President. Ali, who suffered injuries, was reportedly threatened by security guards that they would kill him if they see him at the function.

The motive behind the attack was not explained by Bari region administration but it is widely believed that the security guards of the Governor was ordered to beat the journalist following critical reports aired by the TV. The security guards took away Ali's mobile and refused to return to him.

“This was a move to kill me. They pointed the guns at me and threatened that they would kill me,” said Ahmed Muse Ali.

"The fact that security guards attacked Ahmed Muse Ali in broad daylight is absolutely despicable and shows the climate of impunity for attacks on journalists in Puntland,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

NUSOJ urged Puntland authorities to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice because battering and beating journalists in line of duty is unacceptable and constitutes serious violation of human rights of journalists.