The Interim Supreme Council president Burhaan Ahmed Daahir

The Fourth General Assembly of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) was officially opened today in Mogadishu. More than 70 delegates from the union?s regional branches are attending the General Assembly at Ambassador Hotel on 28-29 May, 2011.

The Interim Supreme Council president Burhaan Ahmed Daahir, in his welcome remarks thanked to the Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunication and Ministry of labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Sports for their acceptance and backing to the Assembly of the Journalists. He also thanked to the delegates for their time and long travels both by air and land and other dignitaries of the media association, civil society organizations,human rights defenders, youth organizations.

Deputy minister of information Posts and Telecommunication

I am glad today that the responsibility leadership successfully completed its assigned tasks, which was the preparation of the General Assembly. Mr. Burhan said, Today, you decide your leaders.

Director of Labor Affairs of the Ministry of labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Sports, Abdirisak Moalim Elmiaddressed in his opening remarks that the ministry has appointed a three member committee to carry out an investigation regarding the NUSOJ case, the investigation that was conducted fairly concluded that the ministry to support the outcome of this General Assembly.

The chairman of Somali Civil Society in Action, Abdulkadir Ibrahim Gacal Abkow praised the efforts made in the Assembly of Somali journalists and urged them unity among all fellow journalists.

Mr. Abkow chairman of Somali Civil Society in Action

Mr. Abkow said that they fully back and endorse the outcome of the fair elections of the union of the union leaders.

Law Maker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi said in his opening remarks that he was delighted with the union assembly with journalists from different regions of the country and urged the journalists role in the development of the society.

Deputy minister of labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Sports Ali Sheik Abdullahi Afgooye, praised the role in the media in serving the public and as well supported the importance in the General Assembly among the Somali journalists and expressed the ministry’s commitment in defending the labor rights of the Somali workers

Deputy Minister of Labor Social Affairs Youth and Sports addressing the congress

I am very happy to see different faces of journalists from different regions of the country, while I was informed that some of them had never come to Mogadishu before. Ali Sheik Abdullahi Afgooye, the deputy minister at the Ministry of labor, Social Affairs, Youth and Sports ?We fully endorse the General Assembly and the outcome of the Elections and I hope you success.

The Interim secretary General, Mohammed Ibrahim thanked to all ?our colleagues and friends who supported and made this Congress possible. He underlined that the Somali journalists are more organized and united and thanked the Somali journalists for their united vision.

The General Assembly is strapping signal to the assurance of the solidarity of the Somali journalists who are serving the public in a very hostile environment Mr. Ibrahim added.

Law Maker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi

The deputy minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunication Mohamed Abdulle Geesey who officially opened the General Assembly, thanked for the assembly of the journalists in his opening remarks and highlighted the need the journalists to be given upgrading courses in the journalism skills and observed the crucial role the Somali journalists play in the fight for for peace, justice and prosperity in the country.

I am pleased that you (NUSOJ) came to your General Assembly and hold your democratic elections inline with your internal union structure, I hope you success and fair elections.? Mohamed Abdulle Geesey, The deputy minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunication, The Ministry will fully support the outcome of your assembly and I authorize you to open your meeting.

The Fourth General Assembly of the union is held every three years and during the GA the respective delegates will decide NUSOJ strategy and policy for the next three years. They will also elect the leadership of the supreme council and the executive committee such as the chairperson and deputy chairpersons, Secretary General and members of the executive committee, along with heads of the regional branches.

from Left Director General at the MIP Deputy minister of the MIPT Deputy Minister of Labor and Director of Labor Affairs

civil society representatives

Government officials and civil society representatives at NUSOJ GA

delegates

delegates

–For further information, contact:
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
Human Rights House, Taleex Street, KM4 Area, Hodan District,
Mogadishu, Somalia, Tel: +252 1 859 944,
e-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Internet: http://www.nusoj.org.so