Mogadishu – A Somali reporter shot by unknown gunmen last week has died from his wounds, colleagues said Monday, taking the toll of journalists killed this year in the war-ravaged country to 17.
Mohamed Mohamud Turyare, who was shot as he left a mosque in the anarchic capital Mogadishu on October 21, is the fifth journalist from the independent Shabelle radio and television station to be attacked this year.
“Turyare died in hospital last night, his health condition was not that bad until yesterday afternoon, but then he suddenly deteriorated,” said colleague Mohamed Bashir.
“There were plans to evacuate him for medical treatment outside Somalia, but tragically he left us too soon, like the other friends that we lost before him.”
Press rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called 2012 the “deadliest year” on record for Somalia, surpassing 2009 when nine died.
Several killings are blamed on Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents, but other murders are also believed to be linked to struggles within the multiple factions in power.
“Turyare is no more, but we wait desperately for the time when those who kill innocent journalists face justice,” said Adan Molaim, a relative. – Sapa-AFP
Sources AFP