MOGADISHU, Somalia – 18 March 2025

In the early hours of Tuesday in Mogadishu, tragedy struck the vibrant heart of Somali journalism. The hand of terror reached out, leaving in its wake the loss of a young and passionate journalist. Mohamed Abukar Mohamed, better known to his peers and listeners as Dabaashe, was only 31 when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated, claiming his life at his residence in the Ceel Gaabta area.

Although the intended target, the president, survived this cowardly attack, the aftermath was grim. Media channels reported several fatalities and multiple injuries. Dabaashe’s lifeless body was discovered beneath the debris several hours later, amidst a scene of destruction that has become all too familiar in this troubled region.

Dabaashe joined the somber roll call of journalists whose lives were prematurely ended while in pursuit of truth and justice—a list that, regrettably, continues to grow longer as years pass by. He was the first journalist in 2025 to pay the ultimate price in Somalia, joining countless others since 1992, whose cases haunt the corridors of justice, unresolved.

The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), representing the interests and safety of media professionals across Somalia, responded with profound sorrow. The incident echoes ongoing dangers faced by individuals dedicated to shedding light on the nation’s issues. “His unwavering commitment to reporting was truly inspiring,” a colleague recalled, which now resonates as a haunting reminder of the risk carried by those who pursue journalism in fraught circumstances.

From 2011, when Dabaashe began his journey in journalism at Radio Risaala, his thirst for truth was palpable. He rose through the ranks, continually seeking new platforms—from radio waves to the expansive reach of social media, including Facebook and YouTube, where he shared independent reports. By 2019, his voice had become a familiar and trusting one in the airwaves, shaping narratives that captured resistant realities in Somalia.

As SJS stands firm with the commitment to advocate for media freedom and journalist safety, its Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin, shared some personal recollections. “I had the honor of mentoring Dabaashe in his formative years as a reporter. Even then, his dedication wasn’t just evident; it was electric.” Mumin’s call for an independent inquiry into the attack underscores the urgent need for accountability to stem the tide of violence that continues to plague this noble profession.

Reflections and Resolution

When one loses a friend, the world seems dimmer, and when a society loses a journalist like Dabaashe, the clarity of truth suffers a grievous blow. What can we do in the face of such darkness? How do we ensure that those who have fallen continue to illuminate our path? These questions linger as Somalia grapples with its realities.

Journalists like Dabaashe risk everything, not for fame or fortune, but to hold a mirror to the nation and whisper its truths loud enough for the world to hear. His tragic demise calls to mind a saying from another courageous voice of truth, Edward R. Murrow: “We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” Substitute America with any nation, and the sentiment remains profoundly compelling.

To Dabaashe’s family, colleagues, and the broader network of journalists, your loss is ours too; your grief resonates worldwide. As his story fades from the headlines, let his legacy burn brighter—a beacon for aspiring journalists to follow.