A regional governor in Somalia's breakway Puntland region said Sunday they had made contact with the abductors of four journalists, including a Briton and a Spaniard, Agence France-Presse (AFP) has reported.
Bossaso Governor Musa Gueleh Yusuf said they were "trying to have them released as soon as possible." He said, "The kidnappers are asking for a ransom, but we refuse negotiations. We just want them to be released. We are not giving ransom. If they don't release them we will attack them."
Gunmen intercepted the two journalists at around 10 a.m. on November 26, shortly after they had left their hotel in central Bosasso, on Puntland’s northern coast, to go to the airport to fly to Djibouti. The British journalist’s identity is known but his employer does not want the media to name him. His Spanish colleague is freelance photographer José Cendón. Both were covering piracy in the Gulf of Aden. It is believed they are still being held in the area.
One of the two Somalis with them when they were abducted was their fixer. The other one was understood to be a journalist. Their identities cannot be published for security reasons. There is so far no independent confirmation as to whether they are currently also being held against their will.
"We are alarmed by reports of the abduction of our four colleagues," said Africa Program Coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Tom Rhodes. "This underscores what an incredibly dangerous place Somalia has become for both local and foreign journalists. We urge the authorities in Bossasso to do all in their power to ensure the safe return of all four journalists."
“This abduction is a reminder that banditry, piracy and politically-motivated crime pose a constant threat to foreigners—journalists and humanitarian workers—who go to Somalia,” Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) said. “We pin out hopes on the competent authorities, who should be aware that time is the key factor in achieving a positive outcome in this kind of case.”
