[ad_1]
Nairobi, March 4, 2021 – Authorities in the Somali semi-autonomous region of Puntland should promptly and thoroughly investigate the murder of journalist Jamal Farah Adan and hold those responsible to account, the Committee for the Protection of Human Rights said today. journalists.
On the evening of March 1, two unidentified men shot dead Jamal outside a store he ran in the northern part of Galkayo town, according to media reports and separate statements released by two local human rights groups. the press, the Puntland Media Association and the Somali Journalists Union based in Mogadishu.
On his Facebook account, where he posted political comments and reports, Jamal previously said he had received threats from the militant group Al-Shabaab. After the murder, Al-Shabaab announced on its radio station, Radio Andalus, that it had killed Jamal for opposing the group, according to reports and a recording of the show, which CPJ reviewed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Puntland regional president Said Abdullahi Deni, whose government controls northern Galkayo, condemned the murder and ordered security personnel to arrest the perpetrators.
Even in the face of threats and operating in one of the most dangerous environments for journalists in the world, Jamal Farah Adan maintained a fearless critical voice in his commentary. His killers must be held accountable, ”said CPJ representative for sub-Saharan Africa, Muthoki Mumo. “It is encouraging that the Puntland authorities have made a commitment to investigate this attack. They must ensure that the process is swift and thorough, as part of a broader fight against impunity for attacks on Somali journalists. ”
Jamal had worked as a journalist since the 1990s, variously as a radio reporter, editor and media director, in outlets such as the private stations Radio Daljir, Radio Garowe and Radio Galkayo; more recently, he had published most of his work on Facebook, according to statements by these rights groups as well as Abadir Abdulkadir Elmi, president of the media rights group the Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ), who knew Jamal personally and spoke with the CPJ messaging app.
In recent years, Jamal has posted comments and reports on two separate Facebook pages with around 5,300 and 14,500 followers, respectively.
Jamal’s recent messages included comments on the electoral crisis in Somalia, in which he criticized Federal President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo, and interviews with local taxi drivers distraught by the depreciation of the local currency.
Jamal also criticized Al-Shabaab; in a December 28 video, he urged residents of Galkayo to rise up against the militant group and claimed that local authorities had conspired to help some militants escape justice; in this video, he also said that an unidentified activist threatened him during a phone call and swore revenge on any member of the group who allegedly tried to kill him.
In a January 2 Facebook video, Jamal claimed to have survived an attempted assassination of an al-Shabaab member, claiming he captured the attacker and handed him over to the police. He also said he would find Al-Shabaab operatives in Galkayo and urged local residents to help police stop the attacks.
In the Radio Andalus clip reviewed by CPJ, a presenter accused Jamal of being an apostate, spying on the Muslim community and inciting the residents of Galkayo against Al-Shabaab. The presenter’s allegations were interspersed with recordings believed to be of Jamal, in which he spoke out against the group.
Mumin Abdi Shire, a police commander in the area who spoke to CPJ via a messaging app, said police have made progress with their investigation and intend to issue a preliminary report on the case March 7.
Puntland presidential spokesman Jama Deperani did not respond to CPJ calls or a WhatsApp message. CPJ emailed the Puntland Statehouse but received no response.
Source link
