A prominent Somali comedian and media worker was reportedly shot to death in front of his house in the capital, Mogadishu, by two unknown assailants on Tuesday.
Reports say Abdi Malaq Jeylani ridiculed leaders of a ruthless Islamist insurgent group that is notorious for forcibly recruiting boys into as soldiers in one of his radio shows.
The criticism aired by Mr. Jeylani, also known as “Marshale,” may have cost comedian his life.
Today, the United Nations envoy for Somalia has expressed strong condemnation on the killing of prominent Somali comedian and media worker Abdi Malaq Jeylani.
Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Augustine Mahiga, called on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Almost every month we mourn a victim in the Somali media world. This is simply unacceptable.” -Mr. Mahiga
Mr. Mahiga calls again on the Somali authorities to take immediate action and do all that is necessary to conduct a full and independent investigation into this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Despite promises from the Somali government, there has been “little to minimum progress” on the investigations of crimes against media professionals, Mr. Mahiga added.
“I call again on the relevant authorities to protect the journalists in the country and safeguard their work. UNPOS stands ready to assist towards this end.” -Mr. Mahiga
In May this year, a prominent radio journalist was also killed by unidentified gunmen in the village of Garsoor in Central Somalia, a few hours before the celebrations of the World Press Day.
The presenter of radio news programme Radio Daljir in Somalia Farhan Abdulle (James), 27, was reportedly going home, when two unknown men with pistol shot him to death and immediately fled.
Mr. Abdulle is a well-known campaigner for journalists’ safety as a member of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) as well.
At least 26 journalists have been killed in Somalia for the last 4 to 5 years. The National Union of Somali Journalists continues to demand investigation into the crimes committed against journalists and more protection from the regional administrations.
World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2012 was celebrated under the theme: “New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies.”
The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day is consistent with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation, and for economic development.
