Somalia / The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Deeply Concerned About Fate of Kidnapped Journalists

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 13, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) expresses its grave concern about the fate of the three freelance journalists who were kidnapped on Saturday 23 August 2008. Abdifatah Mohammed Elmi, Amanda Lindhout and Nigel Brenan were abducted at KM13, western suburb of Mogadishu between Afgoye district and the capital city.

 
 

It’s more than 50 days since the abduction of the journalists and there is no official word coming from the kidnapers since they demanded a ransom in September. Negotiating efforts were not progressing and negotiators of elders and intellectuals could not reach a deal that leads the release of the hostages. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $2.5 million, an amount that is believed to have prompted the decrease in the negotiation efforts.

 
 

“The three journalists were committed to bring news and information about swiftly developing events in Somalia to audiences throughout the world. Their long-standing detention speaks to the deterioration working conditions for journalists operating in the country” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

 
 

The family members of Mr Abdifatah Mohamed Elmi who extremely relied on him are deeply concerned over the long time he is in captivity in a time the country goes through combined political and financial crises.

 
 

“We are deeply concerned over the situation of my husband and his colleagues. We don’t know where he is and how his situation is for the time being, I ‘m afraid he is not well since he is in captivity so long” said Faiso Roble Ulayare, the wife of Mr Abdifatah.

 
 

In a five-day workshop in Galkayo, Burhan Ahmed Dahir, NUSOJ Reprehensive in Puntland, raised the union’s concern over the abduction of the three Journalists in Mogadishu. Journalists from Mudug region demanded release of the three journalists. This exemplary show of solidarity came as kidnappers demanded impossible and irrational ransom and there some involvement of politicians which is prolonging this case.

 
 

“We urge all who are involved the negotiations for non-political reasons to use the full extent of their influences in this matter to ensure that three colleagues are immediately and unconditionally released” Omar Faruk declared.

–

 

SOURCE : The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)