Said Tahlil Ahmed shot dead in Somalia

Said Tahlil Ahmed, the director of HornAfrik Radio, was shot dead this afternoon by three gunmen near Bakara market in Mogadishu according to the National Union of Somali Journalists.

“This is a outrageous and appalling assassination” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “Said Tahlil Ahmed was assassinated because of his strong and professional commitment for independent journalism… Enough is enough, the government of President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed and the International community have to act swiftly to end targeted violence against journalists.” link

Said Tahlil Ahmed is the second journalist killed this year. Hasan Mayow was killed in the town of Afgoi on New Year’s day. Reuters have a timeline of media killings and kidnaps in Somalia.
Photo from Reuters via the BBC News website.
UPDATE: Thurs 5 Feb – Al-Shabab claim no involvement in the killing,

“Yes its there that the movement of Al-Shabab group officials called the entire directors of the local radio stations which operate in Mogadishu for a press conference, and said was killed by masked men as we have received the report from Mogadishu, and I am strongly condemning the perpetrators who were behind the killing of late said Tahlil, in fact Said was a very close friend of main and we used to have wonderful chats either through the wire or live, and I pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace Amen” said Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Abu Mansoor the spokesman of Al-Shabab movement speaking to Somaliweyn radio. link

Meanwhile Said Tahlil Ahmed was buried this morning in the Moalim Nur cemetery about 13km south of the capital,

Tens of very shocked media colleagues and relatives attended the burial of the journalist who was killed by gunmen on Wednesday.
At least 12 radio stations have been airing Qur’anic verses to show respect for the slain colleague since Wednesday. The radios went off air on Thursday to mourn their murdered colleague.
“The radio stations will be off air until tonight” a director of one of Mogadishu-based radio told APA on condition of anonymity for security reasons while narrating Tahlil Ahmed’s killing. link