On 22 December in the morning, two suicide attacks took place at a military check point in Mogadishu, near Somalia’s presidential palace, killing at least 16 people and wounding over 20 others.
Awil Dahir Salad, anchor of popular Universal TV station’s show Dood Wadaag, his driver Abdiqadir Hassan Yusuf and his two bodyguards Mohamed Dubad Gajaow and Ibrahim Mohayadin Ahmed were killed in the first blast caused by Minivan-riding attacker who detonated explosives in a car at the checkpoint.
A second blast occurred some minutes after the first blast, causing more deaths.
Al-Qaida-linked al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General said: “Today is another day of sadness. We mourn the tragic death of Awil Dahir Salad in this heartless attack. This murder underlines the acute dangers that journalists and civilians are facing. We send our heartfelt condolences to Salad’s family”.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary said: “ This terrible killing leaves the journalism community in shock. We demand a full investigation into this attack and justice for our colleagues”.
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