APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Some 13 journalist serving in government and private media in Somalia are seeking asylum in Ethiopia after crossing the border to Ethiopia fleeing “intimidations and persecutions” from the Al-Shabab group, APA learned here on Saturday.
The journalists who entered the country told Ethiopian radio that Al-Shabab has currently been murdering journalists working with concerned bodies striving to bring peace and order in that country.
Mohamed Nor Mo’alim, a journalist serving in the government radio station was qouted as saying that he was repeatedly threatened to death for reporting the efforts of the Transitional Government towards ensuring peace in Somalia.
Kadar Shardi Ahmed from Radio Somali Weyn on his part expressed that his father and brother were murdered by Al-Shabab group for producing programs of immense importance to the country’s peace and stability.
Fardowsa Mohammed, Universal Television journalist, who left Somalia along with her four children told the radio that she lost her brother and was repeatedly threatened by the terrorist group as she became famous for producing programs featuring the reality on the ground.
The journalists said that Al-Shabab threatens even their families through telephone and other means.
The journalists also appealed for the international community to halt the “ill acts” of the Al-Shabaab,which is fighting the TFG of Somalia backed by Ethiopian forces since December 2006.
There are also journalists from state owned media like, Horn Afrik, Darban Radio, Banadir Radio Afrikada Bari, Universal TV, GBC, among others.