The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Condemns Assassination of Veteran Journalist in Mogadishu


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The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Condemns Assassination of Veteran Journalist in Mogadishu

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today condemned the mindless and merciless targeted assassination of veteran journalist, Sheik Nur Mohamed Abkey, in Mogadishu, on Tuesday night, 4 May 2010.

Hooded men with pistols followed the late journalist Sheik Nur Mohamed Abkey, 52, who was working for Radio Mogadishu ? Voice of Somali Republic, a government owned Radio station, and killed him near his home in Wardhigley district.

“We condemn the assassination of Sheik Nur Mohamed Abkey who is another victim of mindless and merciless brutality against journalists” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “Somali journalists are being murdered for just reporting their stories independently or their journalistic work with particular media house”.

Journalists in Mogadishu believe that Sheik Nur Mohamed Abkey was murdered because of his leading role and journalistic work with Radio Mogadishu which is owned and managed by Transitional Federal Government. The government officially accused Al-Shabaab armed group for committing this heinous crime. ?The loss of this experienced journalist is heartbreaking for his family and colleagues, but it is also a blow to the entire Somali people? Omar declared.

NUSOJ says the latest assassination shows how journalists continue to face daily risks in Somalia where violence and terrorism has become an increasingly routine part of daily life. ?We again call on all sides in the conflict to stop manipulating media to suit their own political interests which became major source of media victims? Omar Faruk added.

Sheik Nur Mohamed Abkey joined the profession in 1988 as a reporter with former Somali National News Agency (SONNA), especially in the foreign news service. In the past ten years he worked for several media houses in Mogadishu such as HornAfrik radio, Somali Television Network (STN), East Africa Radio and recently radio Mogadishu.

Sheik Nur Mohamed Abkey didn’t move from his home when he started working for Radio Mogadishu as other journalists working for Radio Mogadishu moved to the premises of the Radio in fear for their security. The late Sheik Nur was well-skilled journalist who worked as producer, reporter, presenter and even technician.

Source: The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

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