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UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
Press Statement UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia strongly condemns the killing of two journalists, harassment of the media and calls for end to impunity. Nairobi 12 August 2007 – UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Eric Laroche, has strongly condemned the killing of two prominent figures in the Somali independent media within hours of each other on Saturday 11 August and called for decisive action to ensure the freedom and safety of the media. These are the most recent in a spate of attacks against the media in Somalia which brings to six the number of journalists killed in the country this year. Saturday’s first victim was HornAfrik Radio journalist Mahad Ahmed Elmi, who was gunned down by four unknown men in the morning. The second, Ali Iman Sharmarke, was the founder and chairman of HornAfrik and was reportedly killed in his car by a remotely detonated device as he returned from his colleague’s funeral. Two other journalists traveling in Sharmarke’s car escaped with injuries. Sharmarke was a Somali-Canadian who returned to Mogadishu nine years ago to establish and manage the media group. The group works regularly with the United Nations on AIDS and mine awareness, child soldier recruitment and other programmes. Both victims were respected figures among Somali journalists who strive to keep alive freedom of information and principles of impartial and accurate reporting in Somalia’s violent environment. A third journalist, Abdihakim Omar Jimale, from Radio Moqadishu, was also victim of an assassination attempt on Friday evening and is still under medical supervision for his injuries. No group has so far claimed responsibility for these crimes. On Friday morning nine journalists and other workers of Radio Shabelle were seized for several hours without court order by a senior police officer who was looking for the journalist who had just broadcast a report about a security-related event the night before. Journalist Mohamed Abdi Farah ‘Afgoye’ has been in hiding since and fears for his life. The same radio station had been threatened a few days before by a foreign diplomat whose threats were recorded and broadcast by the station. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Eric Laroche, strongly condemns this spate of attacks, and now targeted killings, against journalists. At this trying time he wishes to convey his personal sympathy to the families and colleagues of the victims and to express solidarity with members of a profession that perform vital work in fulfilling the right to know.
Note to editors: for more information please contact, Susanne Morrell: +254-720204992 Renaud Detalle: +254-734057137 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is with grief and outrage that the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) learned of the targeted assassination of our esteemed colleague, Ali Iman Sharmarke, the director of Horn Afrik radio. He was killed when a remote-controlled mine was detonated on the route of the funeral procession for Radio Capital Voice director Mahad Ahmed Elmi, who was shot only a few hours earlier by unidentified gunmen in the outlying Mogadishu neighborhhod of Gubta.
We also condemn the targeted persecution of journalists in Somalia that has claimed six lives this year. The TFG should affirm the principles of press freedom enshrined in the Somali Transitional Federal Charter by taking immediate and public action to ensure the protection of all journalists and media houses. The Endowment wishes to express its solidarity with the Somali media outlets that temporarily suspended programming in protest of the assassinations of their colleagues, and with the nongovernmental organizations and civic groups that continue to press for the realization of basic human rights in Somalia. We offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved families of Mr. Sharmarke and Mr. Elmi, who have suffered profound loss on behalf of the Somali nation. We extend our sympathy to Sahal Adulle of Reuters News Agency, who was injured during the detonation, and to Abdihakin Omar Jimale of Radio Mogadishu, who was the target of a failed assassination attempt last week by unidentified gunmen in the Yaqshid neighborhood of Mogadishu. It is our profound hope that the sacrifice of these courageous people has not been in vain and that their efforts will lead to peace and a better future for the people of Somalia.
Carl Gershman, President -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Statement Somalia – Death of Prominent Journalists in Mogadishu We condemn the killing of prominent journalists in Mogadishu, Somalia, and we offer our sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims. The death of Ali Iman Sharmarke, a Managing Director of Horn Afrik Media, and Horn Afrik reporter Mahad Ahmed Elmi is an assault on all who are working for peace and freedom of expression in Somalia. Ali Iman Sharmarke was a civil society leader, a leader within the Mogadishu community, and a prominent voice for peace and reconciliation. These senseless murders highlight the determination of violent extremists to undermine the political process by threatening the media and the voices of those who seek reconciliation in Somalia. At the time of their death, Sharmarke and Elmi were actively working to maintain the important role of the free media in facilitating the exchange of views necessary for national reconciliation leading to lasting peace and stability. We urge civil society, clan and religious leaders, to honor Sharmarke and Elmi by renewing their commitment to peace, reconciliation, and a stable political future for Somalia. 2007/686 Released on August 13, 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ahmed Abdisalam Adan Managing Partner Director of Programs HornAfrik Media Inc. Tel: 00 252 59 60800 00 252 1 548899
From: "Abdulkadir Aden Abdulle" <aaao_dhacar@hotmail.com> Dear Ahmed, I want to tell you how upset, and grieved I am for the death of your friend and partner Ali Iman Sharmarke by terrorists who are bent silencing every voice rejecting their political agenda. I pray for him for the forgiveness of God, who certainly will bring him to Paradise. Please accept my condolences for him and for the journalist Mahdi, who also was one your collaborator. I tried to call you by telephone budt nobody picked up the phone. Greetings Abdulkadir Aden Abdulle
From: Gordon Adam <gordonadam@btinternet.com> Dear Ahmed: On behalf of the staff of the Center for International Media Assistance, I wish to offer my condolences for the horrible attacks on journalists that resulted in the deaths of Ali Iman Sharmarke and Mahad Ahmed Elmi. It was through their efforts and those of people like you that the Somali media has gotten to where it is today. And it is through your efforts that it will continue to bring together the Somali people against those who would seek to silence them. It is shocking to think that it was just a month ago that you were with us at NED talking about media in Somalia. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the families of your colleagues. Sincerely, Marguerite Sullivan Director Center on International Media Assistance National Endowment for Democracy 1025 F Street, N.W. Suite 800 Washington, D.C. 20004-1409 Direct Number: 202-378-9608 General Number: 202-378-9700 Fax: 202-378-9407 |
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