Abduction of two foreign journalists in Somalia raises concern

August 25, 2008 (MOGADISHU) – The abduction of two foreign journalists raises concern and worry about their safety as no claim has been made and kidnappers have not been yet indentified.

Abductions are common in the lawless Horn of Africa nation where the insurgents have been battling President Abdullahi Yusuf’s interim government and its Ethiopian military allies since the start of 2007.

The mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamed Osman Ali, has condemned the kidnapping of two foreign journalists. Ali added he counts on traditional elders help to ensure their release.

Two Western journalists and their local assistant were abducted on Saturday near the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

No claim has been issued on the responsibility for the abduction of Amanda Lindhout, a Canadian reporter freelancing for a French television and Canada’s Global National News, and Nigel Brennan, a freelance Australian photojournalist.

Government officials said they also did not know where the two reporters were being held, or the local translator and driver who were seized with them. The journalists were kidnapped when they were visiting displaced civilians on the outskirts of the city.

However, Somalia’s Islamist insurgents denied on Monday that they kidnapped two Western journalists near the capital Mogadishu and said they suspected the pair were being held for ransom by gunmen.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Monday called for the release of two Western journalists and their local assistant.

“This shocking incident underscores the terrible dangers and threats that continue to face journalists in Somalia,” said Gabriel Baglo, the director of the IFJ Africa office.

“We call for them to be set free immediately. The Somali authorities must act urgently to see our colleagues come to no harm.”

(ST)