I am writing on behalf of Sharmarke Peace Foundation (SPF). It is a non-profit; non-political; and non-partisan organization that supports the families of journalists killed in the course of their duty and arrange training courses of journalism in conflict areas.

The Sharmarke Peace Foundation condemns the February 4th senseless assassination of Said Tahlil Ahmed, Director of Horn Afrik’s media in Mogadishu, Somalia. Said Tahlil is the 3rd senior employee of the popular Horn Afrik media to be killed in less than a year and half. SPF is upset about the murder of prominent Somali journalists and Director of Horn Afrik media. Said Tahlil was shot numerous times by 3 masked gunmen in Bakara market near Said’s Office. It was not long ago when my husband Ali Iman Sharmarke, then the Director of Horn Afrik Media, was killed when a remote controlled device blew up his car in Mogadishu on August 11. 2007. He was driving home returning from his friend’s funeral, who was another journalist. The manager of capital voice is a sub-division of Horn Afrik media. Mahad Ahmed Elmi was shot while he was heading to work earlier that day. This senseless assassination of Said Tahlil indicates the dangerous environment in which our brave Somali journalists perform their duties. The Sharmarke Peace Foundation is sending condolence to the family and friends of Said Tahlil Ahmed.

INNAA LILLAHI WAINNAA ILEYHI RAJICUUN

Luul Farah Mohamed
Executive Director Sharmarke Peace Foundation