MOGADISHU, Somalia, 16 October, 2023 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly denounces the suicide bombing attack that killed our colleague journalist, Abdifatah Moalim Nur (Qeys), on Monday evening in Mogadishu.
At approximately 9:00 pm local time, a suicide bomber detonated himself in the Blue-Sky restaurant near the Somali Presidential Palace, where a group of civilians had gathered. Tragically, senior journalist Abdifatah Moalim Nur (popularly known as Qeys), the director of Somali Cable TV and a colleague of SJS, lost his life. Police said four other people were injured.
According to Ismail Bariise, a senior producer at Somali Cable TV, Abdifatah’s lifeless body was recovered at the blast site and rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Abdifatah Moalim Nur (Qeys), in his 30s, began his media career as a young radio reporter a decade ago before joining Somali Cable TV. Throughout his career, he faced personal threats and pressures.
More recently, Abdifatah Qeys collaborated with SJS to challenge the Ministry of Information’s unlawful directive that curtailed media freedom in October last year. As a consequence, he received personal threats from officials at the Ministry of Information. Abdifatah stood by the SJS team during the unjust detention of SJS Secretary of Information, Mohamed Bulbul.
Abdifatah Qeys was not only a staunch advocate for press freedom but also a dedicated citizen of Mogadishu. He leaves behind a grieving wife. He becomes the first journalist killed in Somalia this year.
SJS strongly condemns this atrocious attack targeting our colleague Abdifatah Qeys. Our hearts go out to other community members whose loved ones were affected by this heinous attack.
“I have just spoken to Somali Cable TV colleagues, and I am deeply saddened and profoundly shocked by the news of Abdifatah Moalim Nur (Qeys)’s passing. I was in regular contact with him. When SJS Secretary of Information, Mohamed Bulbul, was unjustly detained, Abdifatah worked with us daily, even though he was facing threats. He was a true friend and colleague,” SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin said, “We cannot tolerate the impunity surrounding attacks on courageous journalists. Abdifatah’s death cannot be just another statistic of murdered journalists. It demands a thorough and honest investigation.”
“On behalf of SJS and the Somali journalists’ community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Abdifatah Moalim Nur (Qeys). My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Abdifatah’s wife and his Somali Cable TV colleagues during this challenging time,” Mumin added.