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Alert

NUSOJ mourns as Mogadishu violence claims the life of veteran journalist

(NUSOJ/IFEX) - The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) expresses sadness and deep grief over the death of prominent journalist Barkhad Awale Adan, who was killed on the afternoon of 24 August 2010 in clashes between the Transitional Federation Government and the Islamist group Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu.

Adan, 60, who was the Director of Hurma Radio and who was on duty at the radio station, was hit by a bullet during an exchange of gunfire between the warring sides. He was rushed to Madina hospital where he was confirmed dead upon arrival.

"The violence in Mogadishu has made it extremely dangerous for media professionals to carry out their work without falling victim to the ever flying bullets and widespread criminality. We have lost, yet again, another veteran journalist courtesy of the raging hostilities," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

Adan was born in Borame, in the Awdal region of northern Somalia. He had been working in the media for the last 30 years. In the past four years he was the Director of Hurma Radio, which is owned and run by a civil society organisation.

NUSOJ sends heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, colleagues and friends of the late Barkhad Awale Adan. "We call on the warring sides to cease hostilities in Mogadishu to save the lives of innocent civilians," Osman added.