The National Union of Somali Journalists is appalled by the brutal killing of Radio Journalist Ali Mohammed Omar on Friday, 16th February 2007, around 20:30hrs local time in Baidoa of Bay region in south-western Somalia.

The journalist who works for the most influential Independent Radio Station in Baidoa, Warsan Radio, as a newscaster and a technician was attacked by three unidentified assailants in the evening of the Friday as he was on his way to his home. The assailants who shot him at the head told him to stop, but he refused to accept and tried to runaway, according to eyewitness at the scene.

"We robustly denounce the shooting of Ali Mohammed Omar as pitilessly planned murder attack" said Omar Faruk Osman, the Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists. "This shocking attack is absolutely intolerable, and we ask the transitional federal government to make prompt investigation on this murder and to punish the executors of this fierce crime" he added.

In three consecutive years, journalists were murdered in Somalia, particularly in the southern party. "We appeal to the transitional government to take steps towards securing the security of its citizens, and guarantee their safety" Omar Faruk added. "Attacks on the press and predominantly the killing of journalists portray the deterioration of security situation of journalists".

Ali Mohammed Omar, 25, is a member of the south-western branch of the National Union of Somali Journalists. He was among the delegates elected by the members of their branch to represent their branch at the last NUSOJ General Assembly in Baidoa on 20-21 July 2006. "As a union we lost an important member, and we send our sincere condolences to the family of late Ali" said Omar Faruk Osman. "He was an outstanding person in the journalism career, and his bravery, strength of mind and honesty serves as a motivation to NUSOJ and entire Somali media community". "We deem his killing as a premeditated attack on journalism".

Radio Warsan, a privately-owned radio station based in Baidoa, was closed several times and resumed operations on Friday, 10th February 2007. The last time the radio was closed is 8th January 2007 . The recent resumption of its operations came out after the management of the radio and the chief of the national security agency of the transitional government in Bay region agreed the recommencement of the broadcasting.

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