MOGADISHU, Somalia – A prominent Somali journalist, his driver and 2 media security staff were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in Somali capital Mogadishu on 22 December. The IFJ joins its affiliate the National Union of Somali journalists in firmly condemning the attack and asking to bring perpetrators to justice.
On 22 December in the morning, two suicide attacks took place at a military check point in Mogadishu, near Somalia’s presidential palace, killing at least 16 people and wounding over 20 others.
Awil Dahir Salad, anchor of popular Universal TV station’s show Dood Wadaag, his driver Abdiqadir Hassan Yusuf and his two bodyguards Mohamed Dubad Gajaow and Ibrahim Mohayadin Ahmed were killed in the first blast caused by Minivan-riding attacker who detonated explosives in a car at the checkpoint.
A second blast occurred some minutes after the first blast, causing more deaths.
Al-Qaida-linked al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary said: “ This terrible killing leave the journalism community in shock. We demand a full investigation into this attack and justice for our colleaguesy”.
