Recent Fighting In Somalia Claims Life Of Somali Lead Journalist

Can Tran June 07, 2008

There has been little progress made in regards to the peace talks between Somalia’s interim government and the opposition force. The two groups had met in the country of Eritrea to talk peace. But, little progress has been made as the opposition wants Ethiopia’s forces to leave the country before negotiations begin.

However, the interim government depends on support from the Ethiopian government as it waits for the 8,000 strong African Union (AU) force. At least sixteen people were killed in those two days. But, the life of another person was taken.

36 year old Nasteh Dahir Farah, vice president of the National Union of Somali Journalists died from a fatal gun shot on his way home. After ten minutes of being let into the hospital, Farah had passed away. This has been explained by Reporters Without Borders.

Farah is known for his freelance work for both BBC and Reuters.

“No one is protecting Somali journalists, who have become targets for all the armed groups,” said NUSJ Secretary-General Omar Faruq Osman. He adds: “We will not stop our work because of these criminals.”

The group said that Farah’s death was an assassination. Farah has received several death threats recently.

Since 2007, Farah is the tenth journalist to be killed. Journalists in Somalia have been targeted for death. But, the authorities have not taken measures to protect them. While the journalists will not stop what they are doing, expect more of them to be killed in the near future.