FEAJ Statement: Fatal Shooting of Somali Journalist in Baidoa

The Federation of Eastern Africa Journalists (FEAJ) reports the death of Somali journalist Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi. Bashir died from gunshot wounds in the early hours of Monday, September 7, 2026, four days after being shot in Baidoa.

FEAJ condemns the killing of the 23-year-old reporter for the Arlaadi Media Network, calling it an assault on press operations and demanding immediate investigations by law enforcement authorities to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.

According to reports provided through affiliate National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), fighting occurred on September 3, 2026, in the Al-Ahmaar neighborhood north of Baidoa between government forces and militias loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), the former leader of South West State.

Upon seeing armed personnel in his neighborhood, Bashir contacted his station director and received instructions to stay indoors. When he later left his residence to conduct reporting duties, he was stopped by masked, uniformed personnel. Following questioning, the men shot Bashir twice in the back and left the scene.

Emergency surgery was performed at Bay General Hospital in Baidoa. While plans coordinated by NUSOJ were underway to transport him to Mogadishu on Monday morning for medical treatment, his condition deteriorated, resulting in his death.

“Bashir’s death cannot be allowed to pass like so many attacks on journalists before it. We have had enough messages of condolence without justice. What we need now are answers. Bashir was a young journalist with a promising future ahead of him, and that future has been taken away. Who killed him, why was he killed and who will be held responsible? When attacks on journalists go unpunished, it only makes the next attack easier. This chronic impunity has to end. Bashir’s family deserves justice, and so does every Somali journalist who goes out to do their job with the simple expectation that they will return home safely.” — Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General, NUSOJ

Bashir’s death highlights risks facing reporters in Somalia during military conflict. FEAJ states that military forces, security services, and armed groups must recognize that journalists hold civilian status under international law. Forces retain obligations to respect reporter safety and must not target, detain, or assault journalists carrying out work in the public interest.

FEAJ stands with Bashir’s family, colleagues at Arlaadi Media Network, and the Somali media community. We call on media personnel in Somalia to remain united in work for media operations.