Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NAIROBI186
2009-02-04 15:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
SOMALIA - MOGADISHU HORNAFRIK DIRECTOR KILLED
how-toVZCZCXRO2887 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #0186 0351508 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 041508Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8372 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEPVAA/COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 7468
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000186
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR AF/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO PHUM SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - MOGADISHU HORNAFRIK DIRECTOR KILLED
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000186
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR AF/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO PHUM SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - MOGADISHU HORNAFRIK DIRECTOR KILLED
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. In what appears to have been a targeted
assassination, the Director of HornAfrik in Mogadishu was
reportedly killed on February 4 by armed militia, possibly
associated with al-Shabaab. Sources indicate the journalist,
Said Tahlil Ahmed, was part of a group summoned to a meeting
by an al-Shabaab operative to discuss the media's positive
reporting on developments in Somalia. Upon arriving at the
meeting location, the group was reportedly fired on by a
militia. Ahmed was killed and the other journalists fled the
scene. This is the second murder of a Somali journalist this
year, following the New Year's Day death of a Shabelle
journalist in Mogadishu. End Summary.
Journalist Killed in
an Apparent Set-up
--------------
2. (SBU) Multiple sources indicate that the Director of
HornAfrik in Mogadishu, Said Tahlil Ahmed, was assassinated
in Mogadishu on February 4 at approximately 2:45 p.m. We are
told that on the morning of February 4, the directors of ten
media outlets in Mogadishu were summoned to a meeting by a
member of al-Shabaab's "information department." Our
contacts tell us al-Shabaab reportedly wanted to discuss with
the media owners their positive reporting on the Djibouti
peace process and the media's recent resolve to stop
broadcasting extremist material (septel). When the media
owners arrived at the appointed location, which was in the
Bakara Market area, the al-Shabaab associate suggested moving
the meeting to another nearby building. As the journalists
rounded a corner en route to the second location, a group of
armed militia hidden nearby opened fire on the group.
Reports indicate that Ahmed was fatally wounded in the
gunfire. We have no information indicating injuries to other
journalists.
Post's Reaction
--------------
3. (SBU) Post is monitoring this incident and will report any
further substantial details. This is the second murder of a
Somali journalist this year, following the New Year's Day
death of a Shabelle journalist in Mogadishu. We will discuss
this incident with the government of newly-elected President
Sharif, emphasizing our support for a vibrant and free media
in Somalia. In addition, Post will likely send a letter of
condolence to Ahmed's family, as has been our practice in
previous incidents of violence against journalists. Post's
ongoing support and encouragement of journalists,
particularly those who remain inside Somalia despite the
volatile operating environment for media, have been welcomed
by journalists, who term it "vital."
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR AF/E
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO PHUM SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - MOGADISHU HORNAFRIK DIRECTOR KILLED
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. In what appears to have been a targeted
assassination, the Director of HornAfrik in Mogadishu was
reportedly killed on February 4 by armed militia, possibly
associated with al-Shabaab. Sources indicate the journalist,
Said Tahlil Ahmed, was part of a group summoned to a meeting
by an al-Shabaab operative to discuss the media's positive
reporting on developments in Somalia. Upon arriving at the
meeting location, the group was reportedly fired on by a
militia. Ahmed was killed and the other journalists fled the
scene. This is the second murder of a Somali journalist this
year, following the New Year's Day death of a Shabelle
journalist in Mogadishu. End Summary.
Journalist Killed in
an Apparent Set-up
--------------
2. (SBU) Multiple sources indicate that the Director of
HornAfrik in Mogadishu, Said Tahlil Ahmed, was assassinated
in Mogadishu on February 4 at approximately 2:45 p.m. We are
told that on the morning of February 4, the directors of ten
media outlets in Mogadishu were summoned to a meeting by a
member of al-Shabaab's "information department." Our
contacts tell us al-Shabaab reportedly wanted to discuss with
the media owners their positive reporting on the Djibouti
peace process and the media's recent resolve to stop
broadcasting extremist material (septel). When the media
owners arrived at the appointed location, which was in the
Bakara Market area, the al-Shabaab associate suggested moving
the meeting to another nearby building. As the journalists
rounded a corner en route to the second location, a group of
armed militia hidden nearby opened fire on the group.
Reports indicate that Ahmed was fatally wounded in the
gunfire. We have no information indicating injuries to other
journalists.
Post's Reaction
--------------
3. (SBU) Post is monitoring this incident and will report any
further substantial details. This is the second murder of a
Somali journalist this year, following the New Year's Day
death of a Shabelle journalist in Mogadishu. We will discuss
this incident with the government of newly-elected President
Sharif, emphasizing our support for a vibrant and free media
in Somalia. In addition, Post will likely send a letter of
condolence to Ahmed's family, as has been our practice in
previous incidents of violence against journalists. Post's
ongoing support and encouragement of journalists,
particularly those who remain inside Somalia despite the
volatile operating environment for media, have been welcomed
by journalists, who term it "vital."
RANNEBERGER