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Somalia: Panic as no claims made on two abducted foreign journalists in Somalia
Tue. August 26, 2008 02:02 am.- By Bonny Apunyu. -
(SomaliNet) As no claim has been made and kidnappers have not been yet identified, the abduction of two foreign journalists raises concern and worry about their safety.
The two Western journalists and their local assistant were abducted on Saturday near the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
However, no claim has been issued on the responsibility for the abduction of Amanda Lindhout, a Canadian reporter freelancing for a French television and Canada’s Global National News, and Nigel Brennan, a freelance Australian photojournalist.
Mohamed Osman Ali, the mayor of Somali capital Mogadishu, has condemned the kidnapping of two foreign journalists. Ali added he counts on traditional elders help to ensure their release.
Meanwhile, abductions are common in Somalia where the insurgents have been battling President Abdullahi Yusuf’s interim government and its Ethiopian military allies since the start of 2007.
Somali government officials said they also did not know where the two reporters were being held, or the local translator and driver who were seized with them. The journalists were kidnapped when they were visiting displaced civilians on the outskirts of the city.
However, Somalia’s Islamist insurgents denied on Monday that they kidnapped two Western journalists near the capital Mogadishu and said they suspected the pair were being held for ransom by gunmen.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Monday called for the release of two Western journalists and their local assistant.
"This shocking incident underscores the terrible dangers and threats that continue to face journalists in Somalia," said Gabriel Baglo, the director of the IFJ Africa office.
"We call for them to be set free immediately. The Somali authorities must act urgently to see our colleagues come to no harm."-Sudan Tribune
News Category: Somalia
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