Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NAIROBI1058
2009-05-29 07:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
SOMALIA - TWO JOURNALISTS KILLED WITHIN A WEEK
how-toVZCZCXRO5536 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #1058 1490703 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 290703Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9647 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RUZEFAA/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE IMMEDIATE RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
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
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
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