Brussels,19th August 2019- A cameraman embedded with the Somali National Army (SNA) was killed in a bomb attack targeting a military base on 14th August. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) in calling for more security for journalists in the country.
Cameraman Abdinasir Abdulle Ga’al, 24, working for government-controlled Radio Station of Somali National Army was killed in Awdheegle in the Lower Shabelle region – 70 kilometers southwest of capital Mogadishu-after the Al-Shabaab group carried out two car bomb attacks at the SNA military base.
NUSOJ reports that the cameraman was traveling with the SNA’s command to conduct interviews with elders of Awdheegle following its liberation by SNA. Five other persons died in the attack.
“This tragedy once again exemplifies how even journalists who are traveling with armed forces face risks for gathering news and information. We mourn the loss of our colleague, Abdinasir Abdulle Ga’al, and we call for more acknowledgment of the safety risks that journalists are forced to take to carry out their professional journalistic duties,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary-General.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Abdulle Ga’al was a young cameraman with lots of potentials and we are deeply saddened by his loss. We urge the Somali government to ensure journalists are provided with adequate safety training and protection on the ground. “
Abdinasir Abdulle Ga’al is the 3rd journalist killed in Somalia since the beginning of the year.
