MOGADISHU, October 30, 2012 - The Somali Sports Press Association has strongly condemned the brutal assassination of Warsame Shire Awale, a well known poet and media worker who was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Waberi district of Mogadishu on Monday evening, October 29.

The latest murder brings the total number of media workers slain in Somalia since the beginning of the year to 19. 2012 is recognised as the most lethal year for Somali journalists since the national fell into anarchy just over two decades ago.

The late Awale, in his 60s, who works for the Radio Kulmiye was shot several times by masked gunmen near his home in the Waberi district and was immediately rushed to Daru Alshifa hospital where he perished as soon as he was admitted, according to Radio Kulmiye director, Osman Abdullahi Gure.

The late Awale was a key player in the radio drama ‘Shan Daranley’ which mainly focuses on the current situation in the war-ravaged country. He was an actor, performer, and comedian and was one of the pillars of Radio Kulmiye.

The Somali Sports Press Association vehemently condemns the assassination and calls upon the Somali government to establish a special security unit for journalists operating in Somalia to protect them from the wave of assassinations.