By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – On Friday, Bashir Nor Gedi, the manager of the independent radio station, Radio Shabelle, was killed in front of his home. According to witnesses, four unknown men shot him three times in the head and chest. Bashir was returning home after being holed up in the radio station for nearly a week because of threats.

Somali reporters routinely face harassment and threats of death or imprisonment from both the government and insurgents. Bashir’s death marks the eighth journalist killed this year in Somalia. Many journalists, some of whom are Bashir’s colleagues, have left the country as the situation rapidly gets more dangerous.

Radio Shabelle had previously criticized the transitional government and the Islamist insurgents. Also this same month, government troops fired shots at the station and detained 18 employees for questioning. The station recently returned on the air in October 3rd after being forced to shut down for fifteen days.

Radio Shabelle was one of three independent broadcasters; HornAfrik and IQK Koranic radio were shut down in January and June. On the same day Bashir was killed, government troops stormed the building of Radio Garowe in Puntland, northeastern Somalia. Three of its journalist were also arrested, Director Abdi Farah Jama Mire; Editor Isse Abdullahi Mohammed; and Producer Mohammed Dahir Yusuf. The three men were later released.

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica.com- Somalia: Radio Garowe Closed, Three of its Journalist Arrested – 20 October 2007

Committee to Protect Journalist- Somalia: Radio Shabelle Manager Assassinated – 19 October 2007

Reuters: Africa- Somali Journalist gunned Down in Mogadishu – 19 October 2007

BBC- Critical Somali Radio Boss Killed – 21 October 2007