Somali journalist killed at checkpoint protest

[SOO MAAL]

Somali journalist killed at checkpoint protest

05 Jun 2005 14:44:06 GMT

 

Source: Reuters

 

MOGADISHU, June 5 (Reuters) - A Somali journalist was killed on Sunday when a truck driver protesting against illegal checkpoints outside Mogadishu shot at her car, the HornAfrik media group said.

 

Duniya Muhyadine Nur, in her early 20s, was reporting on a protest by truck drivers demanding that the checkpoints be dismantled.

 

"The bullet was meant for the car driving them to the demonstrations, but not necessarily for her," HornAfrik director Ahmed Abdisalam said.

 

Nur, who had worked for HornAfrik radio and television for two years, died instantly.

 

Protesters had set up roadblocks between Mogadishu and Afgoie in an attempt to halt traffic flow and pressure local militias into removing the checkpoints, Abdisalam said.

 

The checkpoints are a key source of income for militias that typically demand money from passing buses and trucks.

 

Warlords and their roaming militias have controlled the country of seven million since ousting military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

 

Last month Mogadishu warlords demobilised hundreds of fighters in an effort to persuade Somalia's fledgling government that one of the most violent capital cities was safe enough to serve as the base for the administration, now working from Kenya.

 

But many residents say only a fraction of the city's gunmen have been demobilised and dozens of militia checkpoints remain.

[SOO MAAL]

Unfortunately, Ilaahay haa u naxariistu marxuumada xaq daro ayaa lagu dilay run ahaantii.