Pentagon allies kill Somali journalist

Reporters Without Borders is a usually “pro Western” organization.

Nevertheless, this week they have to report on the behaviour of allies of the Pentagon and other rich countries in Somalia:

Somalia: Radio Simba Presenter Gunned Down in Mogadishu

5 August 2011

Reporters Without Borders is deeply shocked by the death of Radio Simba presenter Farah Hassan Sahal, who was shot three times at close range yesterday – once in the head and twice in the chest – outside the entrance to the privately-owned radio station, located near Hareed mosque in Mogadishu’s Bakara Market neighbourhood.

Colleagues who witnessed the shooting said the shots were fired by a soldier with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) or the Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

“While the current famine has put Somalia at the centre of the world’s attention, this incident serves as reminder that the crisis is not just about food or humanitarian needs but also about the war and the anarchy that have prevailed there for the past 20 years,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Local journalists work in terrible security conditions, caught in the crossfire from the fighting and often deliberately targeted by anti-media militiamen.”

See also the International Federation of Journalists about this.

At least two civilians were killed while 10 others were injured in heavy bombardment by the African Union forces [AMISOM] in different districts of the Somalia capital, Mogadishu.

After some Somali soldiers clashed [among] themselves over aid food looting in Mogadishu on Friday, death toll rose to 11 people, reports said: here.

Mogadishu — The chairman of Bakaara businessmen Ali Mohamed Siad on Wednesday warned Somali government forces against looting and sticking up at the business centers in Bakaara, Mogadishu’s largest and busiest market: here.

US Relies on Contractors in Somalia Conflict: here.

Concern over reports of rape of Somali women fleeing famine: here.

Fears are mounting that a cholera epidemic could spread rapidly among the hundreds of thousands of people living in often unsanitary conditions in Mogadishu after fleeing drought, famine and insecurity: here.