UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova has asked Somali authorities to do everything in their power to stop continuing violence that has already claimed the lives of eight journalists in the African country this year. Ms. Bokova made the statement following the latest killing of a Somali journalist, Mohamud Ali Keyre. A UNESCO statement made available to PANA in New York on Saturday quoted her as saying: 'I am appalled by news of the violent death of Mohamud Ali Keyre
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Stop the violence
"It is essential that the authorities do all in their power to stem the violence that is claiming so many civilian lives in Somalia, including a shocking number of media workers," she said. Ms. Bokova also urged local authorities to implement measures to improve the safety of media personnel across Somalia, while pointing out that press freedom was intrinsic to Somalia's growth into a full-fledged democracy."Journalists must be able to keep the public informed without fearing for their lives. A free and independent press is an essential contribution to dialogue and national reconciliation in Somalia. It is also necessary to democracy and the rule of law,' she noted. PANA reported that since 2009, 18 journalists have been killed in Somalia. Keyre was killed on 12 August in Mogadishu, the country's capital, by a single bullet to the head.
The 23-year-old reporter wrote for the website 'horyaalmedia.com' and had previously worked for the Mogadishu-based radio broadcaster Voice of Democracy, before fleeing to Kenya because of threats against his life.
According to media reports, Keyre decided to return to Mogadishu after deeming the security situation in the city to be improved. After decades of warfare, Somalia has been undergoing a peace and national reconciliation process, with the country winding down its transitional federal governing arrangements.
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