October 16, 2024 - Somalia, Lower Shabelle

Women Press Freedom demands justice for the murder of Somali-Swedish journalist Amun Abdullahi Mohamed on October 16, 2024. Known for exposing al-Shabaab’s recruitment of youth, Amun was shot dead by suspected militants in Lower Shabelle. Despite previous death threats, she returned to Somalia to start a community farming project.

Amun was shot multiple times in the head by two gunmen suspected to be al-Shabaab militants as she walked to her farm in Abdula Biroole village. The village, located about 40 km southwest of Mogadishu, is part of the Afgoye district in Lower Shabelle.

Local journalists, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, reported that two masked men with AK-47s approached Amun, confirmed her identity, and shot her in the head, killing her instantly.

Her commitment to truth and her community, despite the personal risks, should be remembered as a testament to the importance of investigative journalism in the fight against extremism and corruption. Somali authorities, together with the international community, must take immediate action to investigate Amun’s murder, hold the perpetrators accountable, and address the broader issue of violence and impunity against journalists in Somalia.

Somalia remains one of the most perilous countries for journalists. The country has a long history of targeted attacks on media professionals, particularly in areas controlled or influenced by militant groups like al-Shabaab.

Women Press Freedom condemns the killing of Amun in the strongest terms. We mourn her loss and send our condolences to her family and loved ones. The senseless killing of press workers must stop.