Nur Muse Hussein, 56, worked for Radio Voice of Holy Quran in Mogadishu as its correspondent for the central regions. He was wounded while trying to cover fighting in Beledweyn between militias loyal to Hiran Regional Administration and Hisbul Islam, an Islamic movement that operates in southern central regions of Somalia.

According to fellow journalists and his widow, Nur Muse Hussein was with three other journalists when wounded by one of the fighters after they identified themselves as journalists. A pedestrian walking behind the journalists reportedly died on the spot from the bullets that came through Nur’s leg. Onm their way to killing the pedestrian, these bullets also fractured Nur’s right leg. Ever since the attack more than a month ago, Nur Muse Hussein was in serious condition. However, according to his widow, his condition deteriorated further in the last week.

“Nur Muse Hussein paid heavily for his dedication to his profession. Today is another unforgettable and sad day for the Somali journalists’ community,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General, left. “Nur is the fourth journalist killed in Somalia this year by gun carrying men. The death of Nur Muse Hussein highlights the unacceptable, continuing and deliberate violence against journalists in Somalia”.

Nur Muse Hussein leaves behind his wife and five children.

The three other journalists killed in Somalia this year are:
-Abdirisak Warsameh Mohamed, nicknamed Gadao, of Radio Shabelle was shot dead in the morning of 22 May by forces fighting in the neighbourhoods of Bakara Market in Mogadishu. According to  Mukhtar Mohamed Hirabe, his director at Radio Shabelle, Gadao was killed as he was crossing the road near Wardhigley police station.

-Three men with pistols assassinated the well-respected Said Tahlil Ahmed, director of HornAfrik Radio in Mogadishu, on 4 February 2009 at around 2:45 p.m. (local time).

-On 1 January, Hassan Mayow Hassan, a reporter for Radio Shabelle, was gunned down by a member of a pro-government militia in Afgoye, 30 kilometers south of Mogadishu. Mayow Hassan was the first journalist killed in 2009 anywhere in the world.

For further information, contact:
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
Taleex Street, KM4 Area, Hodan District,
Mogadishu, Somalia, tel/fax: +252 1 859 944,
e-mail: newsletter@nusoj.org  
Internet: http://www.nusoj.org