The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is alarmed about today’s attempt to assassinate its Secretary General, Omar Faruk Osman, as he was entering the union's headquarters in Mogadishu.
At around 14hrs, Omar Faruk Osman was coming back from city centre and his vehicle was standing at the gate of NUSOJ headquarters, waiting the gate to be opened, when a white sedan with three armed men sprayed Omar’s vehicle with bullets. Omar’s Bodyguards exchanged fire with assailants, until attackers were overpowered and run away from the scene. One of Omar’s bodyguards and two other pedestrians at Taleex Street were seriously wounded in this attack.
“This is a vicious and cowardly murder attempt against our Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman. It is clearly aimed at intimidating our union, and it was only by good fortune that Omar Faruk escaped death,” said Abdirisak Omar Ismail, President of NUSOJ Supreme Council.
NUSOJ categorically states that it will not bow to the intimidations and dangers posed to its leadership, and shall remain defiant in executing its mandate without fear, speaking out against suppressive actions and policies against journalists and media community.
“It is an outrage that people must risk their lives simply to represent the interests of journalists. If the Somali Government is serious about bringing peace and prosperity to Somalia it must swiftly identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” added Ismail. “We do not need empty promises anymore”.