Anti-Piracy Demonstration in Galkayo
Hundreds of people gathered yesterday to demonstrate against pirates and other local criminals accused of fuelling instability in Galkayo. Witnesses told Somalia Report that large crowds of residents took part in the demonstration, which was organised by Galmadug's minister for youth and sports.
More than 200 hundred people, including Galdmudug officials, marched through Galkayo streets. Demonstrators carried signs condemning pirates and other elements of Galkayo society accused of fuelling instability. The procession gathered in the street of Abdulahi Isse, which marked the centre of the demonstration.
The intention of the demonstration was clear from the signs. Catchphrases included, “Nabad inaan ku Noolaano baan doonaynaa“, or, “we need to live in peace ”, “Burcad badeeda ayaa ka masuul ah amaan darada “, or, “pirates are responsible for this insecurity” and “Burcad badeedu Ha dhacdo”, which can be translated as “down with the pirates”.
Somalia Report spoke with a number of witnesses in Galkayo.
“The protestors walked through Galkayo's streets, shouting against pirates and regional insecurity. Some voiced messages to the Galmudug administration, requesting that the government maintains the peace and fights against the pirates," according to Ahmed Khalif, an observer of the demonstration.
One of the protestors told Somalia Report that the region experienced serious instability last week, a result of conflict between opposing pirate gangs.
“We are really serious. Our lives have been affected immeasurably. First, it was because of the pirates, and now other criminal gangs are contributing to the problem. Pirates have kidnapped and killed civilians, and we are going to continue our protest until something is done,” Amin Yare, one of protesters, told Somalia Report.
Galkayo residents blame both the pirates and the Puntland and Galmadug administrations for the insecurity. Many residents believe that not enough is being done to fight the pirates.
Over the last three weeks, pirates have fought in Galkayo's streets and kidnapped a child and just a few days ago, pirates kidnapped Galmudugs minister for education. Most recently, a group of pirates shot and wounded a local journalist Wednesday in northern Galkayo (a part of Puntland).
Pirates Target Journalist
Said Muse Dahir, a local journalist working for Raad-raac newsletter, was shot by a group of pirates in the northern part of Galkayo, Puntland. Mr Muse was walking near a group of pirates chewing khat, when one of the three pirates shot and wounded him, witnesses told Somalia Report.
“He was simply walking near the group of pirates, when one of them got up and shot him, without even asking a question. He was then taken to the GMC Hospital in Galkayo," said Mahad, a local resident.
It later transpired that pirates had shot the journalist in response to a story he wrote on Somali pirates.
“The journalist was targeted after he published a piracy report that did not please this group of pirates," according to is relatives and closely friends.
The journalist is in a stable condition at the hospital, according to Caano Geel, a local journalist who visited Said.
"He is doing well after operation, and he will be fine. He is my close friend, and I was walking with him when the pirate shot him. I can't even imagine what the reason was, the only thing I can think of is that it was related to a piracy report that he publishes. Even this isn't particularly notable, because all of the local journalists do the same,” said Caano Geel.
Police Nab the Pirates
Meanwhile the Governor of Mudug Region, Mohamed Yusuf, told local media that they successfully seized two of the three pirates who targeted Said.
“As I promised, we intensified our investigation and we seized two of the three pirates responsible. We are still looking for the third."
The arrests were confirmed to Somalia Report by other Puntland police officers.
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Condemns the Attack
Mohamed Ibrahim Bakistan, General Secretary of NUSOJ, spoke to Somalia Report and expressed his concern at the attack.
“We condemn the attack. Somali journalists already face the threat that emanates from al-Shabaab, who target and kill journalists frequently. If pirates join the campaign, it poses another problem altogether. It will be difficult for journalists to continue to work in Puntland and Galmudug," said Mohamed Ibrahim Bakistan.
“We hope that the Puntland and Galmudug administrations can protect journalists working there, particularly seeing as they know who the pirates are. They aren't like other criminal or militant groups that hide their identities,” Bakistan added.
Prior to this attack, journalists in Somalia had never been targeted by pirate gangs. They do, however, pose attractive targets to al-Shabaab and other extremist groups in Somalia.
