Mogadishu, December 10, 2018: Members from the Somali Media Association (SOMA) has today visited Ismail Sheikh Khalifa, a veteran Somali Journalist at Ex- Digfer Hospital in Mogadishu where he is currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained from bomb blast.
Mr. Ismail Sheikh Khalifa has been wounded in bomb explosive concealed in his vehicle on December 4, 2018 at Waberi district, Mogadishu, Somalia.
His health condition is stable and improving. “My health situation is gradually improving/” Mr. Ismail speaking at his hospital bed informed the visiting SOMA members.
The visiting SOMA members were Mohamed Abudwahab, Abdulahi Hassan Black, Ibrahim Mohamed Ali and Ibrahim Abdi Hassan that were representing all SOMA members.
“We have the honor to provide you this valuable assistance for your medical treatment on behalf of the Somali Media Association (SOMA)” Mohamed Abduwahab, Secretary General of SOMA said.
Ismail Sheikh Khalifa fully thanked SOMA members for the valuable and brotherly support.
“I have realized that I have journalists group who cares about me,” Ismail said. He also sent his greetings and appreciation to all SOMA members.
The Somali Media Association (SOMA) joins its affiliate and media fraternities for the condemnation of the assassination attempt against Ismail Shiekh Khalifa who advocates for the rights of Somali journalists.
We condemn this shocking attack targeted to our colleague Ismail Shiekh Khalifa as it is another direct attack against the free media in Somalia.
We call urgent investigation to all attacks against the media people.” Mohamed Abduwahab SOMA Secretary General said.
Somalia has been described as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. For the past four years, the country has topped CPJ’s impunity index, which spotlights countries where journalists are slain and their killers go free.
The 2018 index shows that 25 journalists were murdered with complete impunity between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2018.
Ismail Sheikh Khalifa is a well known Somali journalist who worked hard during the most difficult time and had not fled from Somalia, so we wish him speedy recovery from his wounds.