International Federation of Journalists
Press release
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
The International Federation of Journalists
(IFJ) has today unreservedly condemned the brutal murder of journalist
Liban Abdullahi Farah in Somalia.
According to IFJ affiliate in Somalia, the National Union of Somali
Journalists (NUSOJ), Farah, 25, who had been working for Bossasso-based
Somali Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) and London-based Kalsan TV, was
killed instantly when three unidentified assailants opened fire on him
in the Barahley neighborhood of Galkayo town on Sunday night, 7 July,
2013.
"We all mourn the tragic death of our colleague Liban Abdullah Farah,
a highly respected and experienced journalist who worked for several
radio and TV stations in Galkayo and leaves behind a wife and seven
children," said IFJ President Jim Boumelha.
"Farah is the fifth journalist murdered in Somalia since January of
this year, a horrific death toll that simply cannot be tolerated. His
murder once again demonstrates the appalling reality facing journalists
on a daily basis in Somalia and the vital need to improve the safety and
protection of journalists in the country."
NUSOJ said that Farah was attacked at around 7:45pm on his way home
from work by men armed with pistols. He was immediately taken to a
hospital in Southern Galkayo, but they were unable to save him. The
motive behind the killing is unknown but it is suspected that his murder
may have been connected with reports he filed about some Puntland
political parties which were campaigning in Galkayo.
The NUSOJ expressed "shock and sadness" at the "cold-blooded murder"
and accused Somali authorities of failing to respond effectively to the
wave of violence against local media and journalists.
"This latest killing confirms the horrifying reality facing Somali
journalists today where intolerance and callous targeting sees another
journalist gunned down in Galkayo," added Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ
Secretary General. "Once again we look to the authorities to take their
responsibility and protect journalists from this mindless violence."
Backing the NUSOJ stance, the IFJ has called on authorities in
Somalia to step up their efforts to find the perpetrators of these
crimes.
"The murderers of Liban Abdullah Farah must answer for their crimes,"
said IFJ General Secretary Beth Costa. "We call on the Somali
authorities to step up their efforts to bring the perpetrators of this
murder and other vicious attacks against journalists in the country to
swift justice. The killing of journalists in Somalia must not go
unpunished."