RSF: Somali journo shot dead

2009-07-05 17:25

Nairobi - A Somali radio journalist was shot dead in the country's war-wracked capital, the sixth to be killed in the lawless country since January, Reporters Without Borders said on Sunday.

Unidentified gunmen shot Yusuf Mohamed, 22, who works for private Radio Holy Quran, and left to die by the roadside.

"The chaos reigning in Mogadishu and the barbarity of some armed groups make Somali journalists extremely vulnerable," RSF said in a statement.

"With six journalists killed since the start of 2009, Somalia is by far the most dangerous country for the media."

Mohamed is the station's second journalist to be gunned down since April.

Two freelance journalists, an Australian and a Canadian kidnapped near the capital some nine months ago, are still being held.

The Horn of African country has lacked an effective central government since the 1991 ouster of president Mohamed Siad Barre plunged the country into violence.

The security situation has been particularly volatile in recent weeks, with an offensive by insurgent groups bent on toppling internationally-backed President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and a counter-attack by government forces.

- SAPA