FESOJ Condemns Killing of Journalists in Kismayo Terrorist Explosion

Mogadishu- Saturday, July 13, 2019
The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ today) strongly condemns the murders of Somali-Canadian journalist Hodan Naleyah, founder of Integration TV, and Mohamed Sahal Omar (Ga / Madere), a reporter for SBC TV in Kismayo, who among the many people, including politicians Journalists, diaspora and businessmen killed Friday afternoon in a suicide bombing and armed robbery in a hotel in the coastal city Kismayo, about 500 km south of Mogadishu, capital of Somalia.

According to Kismayo's fellow journalists, the Media Hotel (Ex As Aseey Hotel) in Kismayo was allegedly the victim of a powerful bomb blast. Armed militants immediately stormed the hotel and began firing on civilians inside the hotel. More people reportedly died in the explosion, including the two journalists

"The body of the late journalist Mohamed Sahal Omar (Ga & madere) was found on the second floor of the hotel on Saturday morning and bullets fell on his head.We knew that he was present at the hotel during the explosion, but I can now fully surrender Mohamed Dek Abdalla, director of SBC Television, told the FESOJ on the phone.

"We condemn this senseless attack that cost the lives of our fellow journalists," said Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, secretary general of the FESOJ. "It is a stark reminder of the dangers to which the Somali media are exposed in their daily work. We demand an urgent response from all parties to ensure their protection. "

"We are saddened and shocked by this loss of life and condemn in the strongest terms this terrible mbadacre," said Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu. "Our thoughts are with the families of our colleagues Hodan Nalayeh, Mohamed Sahal Omar (Ga'madere) and the families of all the victims of this senseless attack.

The al-Shabaab armed group, suspected of being linked to al-Qaeda, claimed to have carried out the suicide bombing.

Integration TV, created by Hodan Nalayeh, is one of the first online English TV channels that connects Somali communities from diverse backgrounds to share inspirational stories that improve our society. Hodan Nalayeh is committed to setting a new standard for television content, where shared stories benefit both outside and inside our communities. Its purpose was to enlighten, empower and inspire through the power of storytelling while sharing the success of Somalia and learning from the success of others around the world.

Nalayeh was born in Somalia in 1976, but spent most of her life in Canada, first in Alberta, then in Toronto, before returning to Somalia to show the world the positive stories in Somalia.

The late journalist Sahal is one of the journalists who participated in the FESOJ (formerly known as NUSOJ) trainings in Kismayo with the Finnish Foundation for Media Development (VIKES). He was an active and courageous journalist who was arrested several times because of his reporting.

"It is another dark day, we ask the preparers to be at the origin of the deadly explosion followed by the armed attack that mbadacred innocent civilians, including the two journalists colleagues, to be arrested and brought to justice, "said FESOJ President Abaadir Abdulakdir Elmi.