Death of Somali Journalist was avoidable

Mogadishu - Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa office, says "Somalia is the most dangerous place for journalists in Africa" and added: "This was an avoidable tragedy. Journalists and employers need to take proper measures to ensure that journalists are fully prepared for potentially lethal assignments."

According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Mohammed Abdullahi Khalif, a journalist with Radio Voice of Peace was covering a story at the Arms Market in Galkayo when the Puntland army arrived to retrieve guns which had been stolen from their barracks. A gun battle broke out and Mohammed was caught in the cross-fire between the soldiers and the arms traders.

He is the second journalist killed in Somalia this year. In February, the journalist Ali Mohammed Omar was shot in Baidoa by unknown men.

The IFJ called the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to investigate the death of Mohammed and the other journalists killed in Somalia and to take measures to improve journalists' safety.

Source IFJ