The Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) today condemned the today’s abduction of two western journalists in Bossaso Puntland-Somalia.
The journalists” nationalities could not be confirmedone was believed to be British. Foreigners, journalists and humanitarian workers are frequently abducted for ransoms in Somalia.
SOJRA has been investigating the informations of the abduction since it done to find the group who behind the abduction and no claim of responsibility was made and the motive for the kidnapping remains unknown.
“We are appalled by this cruel abduction of journalists and call for the immediate release of our colleagues ” said Daud Abdi Daud,SOJRA Executive director.
Press freedom and the protection of rights of journalists are being jeopardised by the brutal actions of criminal gangs in Somalia.
SOJRA expressed grave concerns of kidnapped journalists’ safety. They asked the kidnappers to release the journalists as they are held solely for the exercise of their professional journalistic duties.
How ever there are other two western journalists who are currently the hunds of Somali gangs an Australian man and Canadian woman.

Press Release
SOJRA-Somalia for Immidiate Release

Hilaal Sheik Shuceyb the Director of Warsan Radio in Baidao was arrested by the police officers in Baidoa by the order of the Bay governor region Mr. Abdifatah Ibrahim (Geesey).

The director was arrest over a report released from the radio was said to be, a perpetrator who killed yesterday by jointly operation by military and police whom the court judged the culprit and sentenced to death penalty.

Also, Hindia Sheik Mohamed who is a newscaster at Warsan Radio told Somali Journalists Rights Agency(SOJRA) over the phone that the Bay governor Mr. Geesey summoned her and told her that she will be arrested.

Somali Journalists Rights Agency(SOJRA) is very sorry and condemns the arrest and the threats of the journalists.

Media workers in Somalia always face great problems during their duties, this brought that there is no effective law and order in the country, we emphasize the higher authorities at large to consider freedom expression” said Daud Abdi Daud,SOJRA Executive director.

The Somali Journalists Rights Agency(SOJRA) is condemning today’s arrest of Ilyaas Sheikh Shucayb who is the Director of Warsan radio in Baidoa.

SOJRA is worried the situation of Baidoa journalists and this dangerouse is being brought after In a press conference held in Baidoa on Saturday, 13 September, the Governor carrying virulent attacks on journalists for reporting baseless reports about Bay region and its security situation. Abdifatah threaten that he will take action against journalists who report what his administration sees as “unfounded information” and “propaganda for terrorist opponents”.

“We clearly condemn this liable detention of our colleague Ilyaas Sheikh Shu’ayb and we demand his immediate and unconditional release” said Daud Abdi Daud, SOJRA Executive director.

Force on the independent media is swelling even after continual promises of fortification for journalists by the TFG and TFP.