At the time of his murder, Tahlil Ahmed was with other directors of radio stations in Mogadishu as they were summoned by Al-Shabaab Islamic group for a meeting, according to one of the Directors. For security reasons, this source did not want to be named.

Due to this killing the directors could not attend the meeting that they were summoned. “This is a outrageous and appalling assassination” said Omar Faruk Osman Nur, left, NUSOJ Secretary General. “Tahlil Ahmed was assassinated because of his strong and professional commitment to independent journalism”.

Tahlil Ahmed was courageous, veteran and well-respected journalist. “Somali journalists community have lost today a leading journalist who was killed by enemies of press freedom with the intention of instilling fear in the hearts of journalists”, Omar Faruk declared.

“Enough is enough, the government of President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed and the International community have to act swiftly to end targeted violence against journalists” Omar Faruk appealed. Said Tahlil Ahmed is the second journalist killed in Somalia since the start of the year. Hassan Mayow Hassan of Radio Shabelle was the first journalist killed in the world in this year as he was killed on 1st January.

National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is a national union
representing Somali journalists to promote and protect freedom of the
press and the interests and rights of journalists.
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National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
KM4 Area, Hodan District, Mogadishu, Somalia,
website: www.nusoj.org
newsletter@nusoj.org,
Telephone:         +252-1-859944