Monday, October 01, 2012
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has declared 2012 as the most dangerous year for Somali Journalists, even with three months to the end of the year. The declaration came after two Somali journalists were killed in Mogadishu within a 24-hour period last Thursday and Friday, bringing to 10 the total number of journalists killed in Somalia this year in direct relation to their work. 'This is the most dangerous year for Somali journalists ever recorded by CPJ, and the violence is having a clear effect on the ability and willingness of journalists to gather and report the news,' CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes was quoted as saying in a statement obtained by PANA.
CPJ ranks Somalia as the most dangerous country to practice journalism in Africa.
Local residents found the decapitated body of Abdirahman Mohamed, 26, a reporter for the sports news website Ciyaarahamaanta, near a restaurant next to Suqa Holaha, a local livestock market, in the Huriwa district on Thursday.
Unknown gunmen had abducted Abdirahman that day as he was visiting a relative's house. The journalist was found with his hands tied behind his back and his severed head on his chest.
The motive for the killing was not clear and no group has claimed responsibility.
Separately, unidentified gunmen in military uniforms Friday morning shot dead Ahmed Abdulahi, a reporter for the Yemeni news agency, SABA.
Abdulahi was on a bus on his way to work when a dispute between the driver and a militia group guarding the checkpoint occurred, and Abdulahi was shot in the head.
Several local journalists have told CPJ they are suspending their work temporarily because of the recent attacks.