“I condemn these horrific attacks in the strongest terms. Trying to silence the media will have a devastating effect on the nation’s vibrant media community. These attacks must stop and the crimes must be fully investigated by the Somali and Somaliland authorities,” SRSG Mahiga said. Mogadishu, 24 October 2012 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga deplores the recent targeted attacks against Somali journalists.

On Tuesday Ahmed Saakin Farah Ilyas, a correspondent with Universal TV was shot dead in the town of Las-Anod in Sool region. On 21^st October Mohamed Mohamud Tuuryare, a journalist working for the Shabelle media network in Mogadishu was shot and is still in a critical condition.


“I condemn these horrific attacks in the strongest terms. Trying to silence the media will have a devastating effect on the nation’s vibrant media community. These attacks must stop and the crimes must be fully investigated by the Somali and Somaliland authorities,” SRSG Mahiga said.

“I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ahmed Farah Ilyas and I wish Mr. Mohamed Tuurayare a quick and full recovery,” SRSG Mahiga said.

Somalia is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists to operate, with 2012 being one of the bloodiest years on record for the country’s media industry. Sixteen Somali journalists have been killed this year alone and more than 20 reportedly injured.

“I call on the authorities to bolster their criminal investigation capacity and bring the perpetrators to justice. UNPOS stands ready to assist in this regard,” SRSG Mahiga added.