Militia loyal to Aweys warn local Media journalists against interviewing Gov officials

After Somali journalists on Tuesday went on strike to protest the recent assassination of a colleague and demanded protection from the international community, the militia hardliner Islamist cleric Sheikh Aweys have threatened to target any radio station journalists who hold sensitive interviews with the Gov officials, sources in their ranks . “They decided to target the journalists who interview Gov officials accusing our group” a fighter with Hizbul Islam led by Aweys . “We know they work with the Christians” he added angrily.

Around 15 Mogadishu-based journalists held a press conference, two days after the director of private radio Shabelle, Mokhtar Mohamed Hirabe, was assassinated in broad daylight in the capital. "In addition to the direct threats against us, we cannot work impartially at this time and send correct information to society, so we are temporarily suspending our journalism activities," the group said in a statement. "We know the impact this decision can have on society and the free flow of information but we are obliged to stop working in Mogadishu in order to save our lives," Shabelle editor Abdirahman Yusuf explained. "We are in danger, so we call on the international community to protect Somali journalists," the statement read.

Hirabe was the third Radio Shabelle journalist to suffer a fatal attack since the start of 2009, the fifth journalist killed this year. Somalia is one of the world's dangerous countries for journalists. Media houses have been routinely shut down by the authorities and many reporters, Somali and foreign, have been kidnapped by armed groups. Two freelance journalists, an Australian and a Canadian kidnapped near the capital nine months ago, are still being held. The security situation has been particularly volatile in recent weeks, with an offensive by insurgent groups bent on toppling internationally-backed President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and a counter-attack by government forces.

In addition Somali president sheriff held meeting with protesting journalists today and promised them that his government will provide safe accommodations while they are in Mogadishu as well some help with travel expenses outside Somalia.