Two radio reporters covering a provincial governor in south-central Somalia were gunned down May 16 when the official's motorcade was ambushed by clan militia. News editor Abshir Ali Gabre and reporter Ahmed Hassan Mahad of Radio Jowhar were killed when the motorcade of Mohammed Omar Deele, governor of the Middle Shabelle province, came under attack from gunmen of a rival sub-clan. Deele was unharmed, but at least six people were killed and several injured in the ensuing gun battle.

The journalists had been called by Deele to cover a scheduled mediation between rival sub-clans in the area. Recent clashes between the groups have left at least 16 people dead, according to Radio Shabelle. (Committee to Protect Journalists via SomaliNet, May 18)

Also May 16, a roadside bomb targeted the convoy of Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi as it passed through Mogadishu, but failed to cause injury. (Reuters via Madrid11.net, May 17)

See our last post on Somalia.