hadhwanaagnews 
The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses deep concern over the endangerment of journalists’ lives while covering opposition activities in Mogadishu on Wednesday, 24 September, and Thursday, 25 September, during an event involving the Speaker of Parliament.
We strongly condemn the reported threats against journalists who expressed interest in covering the planned opposition-led demonstration scheduled for Saturday.
On Wednesday, 24 September, a dozen journalists faced serious risks to their safety when they accompanied leaders of the opposition, the Somali Salvation Forum, to the Warta Nabadda police station in Mogadishu. The opposition members and accompanying media crews came under gunfire that left at leasttwo people deadand seven others injured, according tomedia reports. While no journalists were killed, a female journalist, Shukri Aabi Abdi, told SJS that she sustained minor facial bruises as she crawled to safety while seeking shelter.
At least five local media outlets reported losing journalistic equipment as their reporters fled during the attack.
On Thursday, 25 September, the Speaker of the Lower House of the Somali Federal Parliament, Aden Mohamed Nur (Sheikh Aden Madobe),blockeda dozen local journalists who were waiting for his press briefing during his visit to the Warta Nabadda police station. The journalists were kept outside, prevented from reporting, and were warned by armed soldiers not to point their cameras toward the station. Another female reporter from a local TV station told SJS that journalists were held there for more than two hours.
Meanwhile, on Friday, SJS received reports from at least five journalists who said they were prepared to cover the opposition-announced demonstration in Mogadishu on Saturday. The demonstration was called by the Somali Salvation Forum in response to Wednesday’s attack and to protest the ongoing forced evictions affecting Mogadishu residents.
Somali government officials, including Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and Mogadishu Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein, publicly denounced the planned protest and warned the public against participation. However, opposition leaders have insisted that the demonstration — which they described as "peaceful” — will go ahead as planned.
"We condemn the violent attack in Mogadishu on Wednesday, which resulted in loss of lives and endangered the safety of journalists as well as many civilians. The repeated targeting, intimidation, and blocking of journalists in Mogadishu is unacceptable and poses a grave threat to press freedom,” said Abdalle Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS). "Journalists must be able to report freely and safely, especially on matters of public interest such as opposition activities and demonstrations. We call on the Somali authorities to immediately end these acts of repression and to guarantee the safety and protection of all media workers.”
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