The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) vehemently condemns the bomb attack in Mogadishu that claimed the life of journalist Mohamed Abukar Mohamed, also known as Dabaashe, along with several civilian casualties. The explosion, which occurred yesterday (18 March) in Hamar Jajab district, targeted a convoy carrying the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was passing through the area at the time.

Mohamed Abukar Mohamed, a freelance journalist who recently worked with Sirta TV and had previously been with Risaala Radio and TV, tragically lost his life when a powerful blast destroyed the building he was in. According to family members and fellow journalists, the attack was deliberately aimed at President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his entourage. However, the sheer intensity and force of the explosion caused widespread destruction beyond its intended target. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Shortly after the blast, journalists from Risaala Radio and TV, whose office is located near the scene of the attack, rushed to cover the incident. However, instead of being allowed to perform their journalistic duties, they were met with an unjustified, aggressive police response. Acting under the orders of Moallim Mahdi, Police Commissioner for Banadir Region, officers stormed the premises of Risaala Radio and TV, arrested five journalists, shut down the station’s transmissions, forcibly halted their work and took them in for interrogation. They were later released and allowed to resume their work. Additionally, 19 civilians from the surrounding neighbourhood were arrested and questioned by security forces in an attempt to determine the origins of the bomb.

“The death of journalist Mohamed Abukar Mohamed is an irreparable loss that cut his life short and we mourn his tragic passing while standing in full solidarity with his family and colleagues. At the same time, we strongly denounce the harassment and unjustified brief detention of journalists from Risaala Radio and TV, who were only fulfilling their duty in reporting this act of terror so that the public understands the significance of an incident involving the President of the country and his entourage. Security forces must recognise that journalists are not adversaries but are essential in fulfilling their duty to inform the public,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

NUSOJ has been in contact with the Somali Police Force to seek clarity on the raid on Risaala Radio and TV and the temporary detention of journalists. A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided the following explanation: “Following the explosion, we conducted extensive searches of buildings in the area, including Risaala’s premises, in an effort to track down those responsible for planting the bomb. Our intelligence suggests that the device was remotely detonated, meaning the individuals who triggered the explosion or their accomplices were likely in the vicinity. Once we confirmed that the journalists and other civilians were not involved, we released them and offered our apologies.”

NUSOJ commends Somalia’s independent media houses for their professional and responsible coverage of this tragic event. In the face of such brutality and terror, the media have responsibly decided how to report the attack, upholding their duty to report the truth while avoiding the glorification of terrorism or the amplification of heinous acts that instil fear in the public.

At the same time, NUSOJ warns Somali security forces against obstructing journalists from carrying out their work, especially in critical situations like this. Intimidation, unlawful arrests and suppression of the media will not be tolerated and such attacks are clearly considered a serious media freedom violation. The public has the right to receive accurate and timely information and journalists must be allowed to work without fear of attacks.

The death of Mohamed Abukar Mohamed (Dabaashe) marks the first journalist killed in Somalia this year, shattering a period of relative respite from such heinous crimes against the media community. His death adds to the list of journalists who have lost their lives in cruel and violence-ridden attacks by Al-Shabaab.