National Union of Somali Journalists

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today condemns the attack carried out by armed forces of the Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) at the offices of Waayaha Press, a Mogadishu-based privately owned weekly newspaper.

On Tuesday, 19 February2008, security forces, who were conducting security related operation in Bakara market, came into the offices of Waayaha Press and ordered the management and the journalists to move into one side and searched the offices, according to the management of the media house.

When leaving, the soldiers took 5 digital cameras and 3 mobile phones, as Mohamud Hassan, the Editor-in-Chief of Waayaha Press told the National Union of Somali Journalists. Security forces also threatened the journalists that they would kill them if they try to come after the soldiers asking their possessions.

“We denounce this attack and demand from government officials to immediately return to the journalists the equipment confiscated by their soldiers”, said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “Journalists are not combatants, and government leaders must end brutalities of the security forces against media companies and their people”.

The security forces did not explain their reason of the attack, but journalists believe that they were attacked because government forces did not want these journalists working in the middle of Bakara market to picture what was happening.

“This attack holds back media freedom and handcuffs journalists not to do their work properly and professionally and as a result denies the public’s right to information” Omar Faruk declared. NUSOJ strongly rejects the violence directed at journalists and media houses. “TFG must ensure safety and protection for journalists working in areas they are conducting armed operations” Omar Faruk said.