SOMALIA - TWO JOURNALISTS KILLED WITHIN A WEEK

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001058 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S CARSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KPAO PHUM SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - TWO JOURNALISTS KILLED WITHIN A WEEK ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Two Somali journalists died in the past week, one while proceeding to work in Mogadishu and the other after succumbing to a bullet wound received while covering fighting in Beled Weyne. These incidents mark the third and fourth deaths of Somali journalists in 2009. Post has conveyed condolences to the families and colleagues of those involved. End summary. -------------- Two Deaths in the Space of a Week -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Abdirisak Warsame Mohamed, a reporter for Shabelle Media Center, was killed by a stray bullet as he walked to work in Mogadishu on the morning of May 22. Our contacts indicate Mohamed was killed near the police station in the Wardigley area of Mogadishu, which was the epicenter of that day's fighting between government and opposition forces. Several sources verified that Mohamed was caught in crossfire. No one was able to pinpoint whether the bullet came from government or opposition forces. The Somali Coalition for Freedom of Expression (SOCFEX) and National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ),among others, issued statements lamenting the death and noting the difficult environment for journalists in Somalia. Mohamed was single and had no children. ¶3. (SBU) On May 26, Radio Voice of Holy Quran reporter Nur Muse Hussein succumbed to injuries sustained in an April 20 shooting in Beled Weyne. Our contacts tell us Hussein and three other journalists were covering fighting between pro-government Islamic Courts forces and the opposition Hisbul Islam. We are told that when Hussein and three others identified themselves as journalists, Hisbul Islam forces fired at them, killing a passing pedestrian instantly and injuring Hussein and at least one of his colleagues. Hussein had been in serious condition since the attack, but deteriorated last week and died on May 26. NUSOJ and Reporters Without Borders issued statements condemning the death. Hussein's wife and five children survive him. -------------- Post Actions -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Post has actively researched both of these incidents, and passed our condolences to the stations at which both men worked, as well as to journalist organizations such as SOCFEX and NUSOJ. We are also conveying a letter of condolence to Hussein's widow. RANNEBERGER