The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said it was saddened by the death of Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi, a journalist with Arlaadi Media Network, who died in Baidoa in the early hours of Monday, September 7, after being seriously injured in a gunfight in the city on September 3.
According to local journalists, Bashir, 23, was in his home in the Al-Ahmaar neighborhood in northern Baidoa during fighting between government forces and militias loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, the former leader of the South West region.
Bashir contacted his director after seeing unknown armed men walking in his neighborhood and was advised to stay home until the situation calmed down.
However, he later left home to carry out his journalistic duties. According to reports, he was stopped on the road by unidentified armed men wearing military uniforms and with their faces covered.
After questioning him, the men shot him twice in the back, leaving him seriously injured. He was rushed to Bay General Hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery.
NUSOJ has been closely monitoring Bashir’s condition since his injury, and has been in constant contact with the media in Baidoa as efforts are underway to seek further medical attention.
Bashir was also scheduled to be flown to Mogadishu on Monday for specialist treatment, but his condition deteriorated before arrangements could be made for his transfer, and he succumbed to his gunshot wounds.
NUSOJ Secretary General, Omar Faruk Osman, said Bashir’s killing could not be another case of condolence, but justice must be served and those responsible for his killing must be brought to justice.
“We have received many condolences regarding the attacks on journalists, but what we need now are answers. Bashir was a young journalist with a bright future, and he was robbed of that opportunity. Who killed him, why was he killed, and who will be held accountable?” said Osman.
NUSOJ also said that the attack on Bashir is a painful reminder of the dangers journalists face in Baidoa and elsewhere in Somalia during armed conflicts.
The organization noted that journalists are civilians carrying out their work, and that all armed parties have a duty to protect their safety and to refrain from targeting, threatening, arresting or attacking journalists for their work.
NUSOJ sent its condolences and support to Bashir’s family, his colleagues and the Somali media community in general.
Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi became the first journalist to be killed in Somalia this year, according to NUSOJ.
