Violence against journalists continues in Somalia

Osman Adan Areys, a stringer for Mogadishu based SIMBA Radio and the Puntland stationed Daljir Radio was wounded by a stray bullet that hit his left arm above the elbow around 14.00hrs local time in Koshin neighbourhood, where fighting was going on according to local journalists.

Areys was hit by a bullet while covering the fighting that was going on in Beletweyne between two rival Islamist militias over the control of the town. “I was hit by a bullet in my upper part of my left hand and I am being treated at the hospital,” Osman Adan Areys told NUSOJ. “I was covering the fighting that was going on here,” Areys added.

Osman Adan Areys received safety training from NUSOJ and the International News Safety Institute (INSI) to help him operate in hostile environments. Areys is a member of the committee of the central branch of the National Union of Somali Journalists.

“We call on warring sides to cease hostilities and respect the safety of journalists covering the conflict. While we hope Osman Adan Areys for immediate recovery, we appeal to Somalia's warring sides in this period of delicate political and security situation to be attentive to the need for journalists' access to newsworthy areas,” Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ secretary-general said.

The situation continues to remain terrifying for journalists in Somalia with constant news of journalists being wounded; arrested; beaten and targeted. Security forces of the transitional federal government arrested Mohamoud Mohamed Dahir, known as “Arab”, a freelance journalist, after Friday prayers outside Mogadishu's solidarity mosque on 8 January 2009, to a detention centre at Villa Somalia (presidential palace). The mosque is close to the palace. The motive behind the arrest is still unclear.