Somali’s prominent journalist Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled killed in a suicide bomb attack

Abdiaziz Mohamud Guled, also known by his moniker ‘Abdiaziz Afrika’, a prominent Somali journalist was killed in a suicide bomb attack on Saturday evening.

The journalist, also an ardent critic of the Islamist militant group was targeted in the capital, Mogadishu.

According to a spokesperson, the suicide attacker was wearing an explosive vest. He got hold of the vehicle window in which Abdiaziz was traveling after leaving an eatery, and detonated the explosive, instantly killing himself and Abdiaziz. 

The incident was condemned by the Somali Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble, who described Abdiaziz as the national hero. 

Omar Faruk Osman, the NUSOJ Secretary also criticized the attack and stated “It is another sad day again for Somali when we are forced to witness the senseless death of another journalist on the frontlines of journalistic duty”. He further added that this cowardly act is strongly condemned by the people of Somali which has robbed the nation of a talented veteran journalist. 

Abdiaziz, 41 was a strong and dedicated journalist as well as a campaigner of violent extremism. He worked for various television and radio programs that raised their voice against the brutal killings of civilians. He was considered a hard-working journalist who was idolized by the people not only for his courage but also for his respect towards religion and country. He developed a large following after his interviews with Al-Shabaab suspects. Al-Shabaab, meaning The Youth in Somali, is the terrorist Islamic group active in the region.

Abdiaziz is the second journalist in Somalia to be killed by extremists. Another veteran journalist, Jamal Farah Adan, who was killed on 1st March 2021, was also a strong opponent of extremist activities and was critical of Al-Shabaab and its operations.

Data source: BBC