Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NAIROBI6
2009-01-02 13:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
SOMALIA - JOURNALIST KILLED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
how-toVZCZCXRO8729 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #0006 0021354 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 021354Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8113 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEPVAA/COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 7454
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 000006
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2019
TAGS: PHUM KPAO PREL PGOV SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - JOURNALIST KILLED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
Classified By: Somalia Unit Counselor Bob Patterson. Reasons: 1.4 (b,
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 000006
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2019
TAGS: PHUM KPAO PREL PGOV SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - JOURNALIST KILLED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
Classified By: Somalia Unit Counselor Bob Patterson. Reasons: 1.4 (b,
d).
1. (C) Summary: The year 2009 began tragically for Somali
journalism with the murder of Radio Shabelle reporter Hassan
Mayow Hassan on New Year's Day. Hassan reportedly was on the
way to cover an armed conflict between two groups when he was
killed. The Somali media variously allege that Hassan was
either targeted or caught in the crossfire between the two
groups. A senior Radio Shabelle staffer alleged to us that
militia, possibly associated with the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG),targeted Hassan for reporting that they
considered to be unfavorable to the TFG. The TFG Deputy
Prime Minister separately insisted to us that Hassan was
caught in the middle of a running gun battle between Afgoye
militias and al-Shabaab. End summary.
-------------- ---
Journalist Killed Eleven Hours Into the New Year
-------------- ---
2. (SBU) Hassan Mayow Hassan, who had been Radio Shabelle's
Afgoye-based reporter for six years, was killed in Afgoye
just before 11 a.m. on New Year's Day. Hassan's death was a
distressing beginning to 2009 after a somewhat improved 2008.
(Two Somali journalists were killed in 2008, one from
collateral damage from an explosion. Eight journalists were
killed in 2007.)
3. (C) Our sources indicate that Hassan was in the area to
cover a battle between two armed groups in Afgoye. Mukhtar
Mohammed, Programs Director for Radio Shabelle, alleged to us
that three militia/police associated with the Transitional
Federal Government (TFG) approached Hassan as he was walking
in the street. The police reportedly accused Hassan of being
sympathetic to the opposition and of producing inaccurate
reports about their work. Mohammed stated that as Hassan
walked away after denying the accusations and being told to
leave, the police shot him twice in the back of the head.
4. (C) TFG Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Abdisalaam Aden told
us from Mogadishu January 2, after consulting with the
Secretary General of the Benadir Administration, that Hassan
had been caught in the middle of a running gun battle between
members of an Afgoye local militia, not associated with the
TFG, and al-Shabaab. Post will make every effort to better
determine the circumstances surrounding Hassan's death.
5. (SBU) Mohammed told us that Hassan normally reported on
social issues such as the plight of internally displaced
persons (IDPs) and health problems among Somalis. Hassan,
age 36, is survived by a wife and five children.
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2019
TAGS: PHUM KPAO PREL PGOV SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - JOURNALIST KILLED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
Classified By: Somalia Unit Counselor Bob Patterson. Reasons: 1.4 (b,
d).
1. (C) Summary: The year 2009 began tragically for Somali
journalism with the murder of Radio Shabelle reporter Hassan
Mayow Hassan on New Year's Day. Hassan reportedly was on the
way to cover an armed conflict between two groups when he was
killed. The Somali media variously allege that Hassan was
either targeted or caught in the crossfire between the two
groups. A senior Radio Shabelle staffer alleged to us that
militia, possibly associated with the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG),targeted Hassan for reporting that they
considered to be unfavorable to the TFG. The TFG Deputy
Prime Minister separately insisted to us that Hassan was
caught in the middle of a running gun battle between Afgoye
militias and al-Shabaab. End summary.
-------------- ---
Journalist Killed Eleven Hours Into the New Year
-------------- ---
2. (SBU) Hassan Mayow Hassan, who had been Radio Shabelle's
Afgoye-based reporter for six years, was killed in Afgoye
just before 11 a.m. on New Year's Day. Hassan's death was a
distressing beginning to 2009 after a somewhat improved 2008.
(Two Somali journalists were killed in 2008, one from
collateral damage from an explosion. Eight journalists were
killed in 2007.)
3. (C) Our sources indicate that Hassan was in the area to
cover a battle between two armed groups in Afgoye. Mukhtar
Mohammed, Programs Director for Radio Shabelle, alleged to us
that three militia/police associated with the Transitional
Federal Government (TFG) approached Hassan as he was walking
in the street. The police reportedly accused Hassan of being
sympathetic to the opposition and of producing inaccurate
reports about their work. Mohammed stated that as Hassan
walked away after denying the accusations and being told to
leave, the police shot him twice in the back of the head.
4. (C) TFG Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Abdisalaam Aden told
us from Mogadishu January 2, after consulting with the
Secretary General of the Benadir Administration, that Hassan
had been caught in the middle of a running gun battle between
members of an Afgoye local militia, not associated with the
TFG, and al-Shabaab. Post will make every effort to better
determine the circumstances surrounding Hassan's death.
5. (SBU) Mohammed told us that Hassan normally reported on
social issues such as the plight of internally displaced
persons (IDPs) and health problems among Somalis. Hassan,
age 36, is survived by a wife and five children.
RANNEBERGER