NUSOJ condemns the killing of a prominent journalist in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, 27 September 2016 –

For Immediate press release –

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in the strongest terms possible the murder of a Somali Journalist in Mogadishu on Tuesday 27th of September 2016, the latest in a series of attacks against the press in Somalia.

The incident happened around 6:10 PM local time, when armed men with pistols shot Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali known as Haji several times on the chest and head in Yaqshid neighborhood in Mogadishu. He was pronounced dead few minutes after he was shot .Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali (Haji) has been working for many years with Shabelle radio in the Somali capital.

Chairman of Shabelle Media Network Abdimalik Yusuf Mohamud confirmed the killing of Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali (Haji) and told NUSOJ that the late Abdiaziz went to Yaqshid to visit his parents who live there.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in the strongest terms possible and calls for the Somali government to probe the incident urgently and bring the justice the culprits who behind the killing of an innocent journalist. “On behalf of NUSOJ, I am strongly condemning the assassination of journalist Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali (Haji) and I urge the Somali security agencies to launch urgent investigations relating to the shocking killing .” Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu the General Secretray of NUSOJ said, Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali (Haji) was a prominent and active journalist and member of NUSOJ was a role model for many young journalists and today we confess that we lost a cempetant journalist who dedicated himself for the serving of our people.

“I send my sincere condolences to the families and friends of late Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali (Haji) and ask Allah to reward him to Jannah, Moalimuu added.

“We are quite sorry that attacks against journalists still continue in Somalia and this is indeed unacceptable for all of us” Mahir Jama Aden President of NUSOJ said.

Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali (Haji) is becoming the second journalist targeted and killed in Mogadishu in this year 2016. Sagal Salad Osman a female journalist was killed in Mogadishu on 5 June 2016 near Banadir junction in Hodan district minutes after she came out from her university.

We share with the sadness families and friends of late Abdiaziz Mohamed Ali and we journalists have to stand our unity, defend our rights and work together with harmony to achieve getting save environment in which we can work freely. Mahir Jama Aden President of NUSOJ said.

The Somali journalists are still experiencing difficult time and we request for all Somali people to respect freedom of media and freedom of expression.