Somalia a deadly terrain for journalists

CAJ Africa
Friday, January 27, 2017
By SAAD MUSE

Relatives and fellow journalists carry the body of Somali journalist Mohamed Mohamud Timacade, on October 27, 2013, during his funeral in the capital Mogadishu after he succumbed to bullet injuries at a hospital (AFP Photo/Mohamed Abdiwahab)

MOGADISHU, (CAJ News) – MORE than 60 journalists have been killed since the onset of the Somalia civil war, it emerged after several reporters were injured in an attack on a hotel in the capital Mogadishu.

At least 28 people were killed in the Wednesday attack which the militant group Al-Shabaab, claimed responsibility.

Scores, including seven journalists, were injured.

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A majority were killed at the Dayah hotel, near the presidential palace, when four militants rammed a car packed with explosives into the gate.

A second blast targeting medical teams and journalists exploded moments later.
“Targeting medics and journalists arriving at the scene of an attack is a particularly cowardly, loathsome and sadly, a common-tactic of violent extremists,” Committee to Protect Journalists Africa programme coordinator, Angela Quintal, said.

CPJ research indicates 62 journalists have been killed in Somalia since the advent of the civil war coupled with terror.

“This makes it one of the world’s most dangerous places to be a reporter,” said Quintal.

Journalists covering the aftermath of terror attacks have been warned to be aware of the risk of secondary attacks, and to proceed with extreme caution in the wake of escalating attacks carried by miltant groups.

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