Somalia’s Journalist Leader Meets New AU Mission Chief

CAPTION: NUSOJ secretary General Omar Faruk [L] and AU envoy for Somalia El Hadji Ibrahima Diene [R]

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has extended a warm welcome to Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, who recently assumed office as the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and Head of the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Ambassador Diene received NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman at the AU Mission headquarters in Mogadishu, where the journalists’ leader paid a courtesy visit. Discussions centred on the state of media freedom in Somalia, the serious risks and attacks faced by journalists, and ways to strengthen cooperation between NUSOJ and the African Union.

Following the meeting, Osman reaffirmed the union’s commitment to working with the AU to safeguard press freedom and protect Somali journalists. “The sacrifices of Somali journalists must never be forgotten, and we view the AU’s leadership as essential in advancing peace, stability, human rights and democracy in our country,” he stated.

He further emphasised that the African Union’s role extends beyond peacekeeping: “The AU is a continental institution with a strong mandate to promote human rights, strengthen democratic governance and drive people-centred development. This has always guided our engagement with the AU, both through its mission in Somalia and through its organs on human rights and civil society participation.”

NUSOJ welcomed Ambassador Diene’s appointment, describing his leadership as timely and necessary for Somalia’s peace and governance agenda, particularly as the country works towards a full democratic transition.

NUSOJ has long collaborated with the African Union Mission in Somalia on journalist safety and protection. This partnership included AU support in developing Somalia’s first National Action Plan on the Safety and Protection of Journalists, in line with the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists.

The union also continues to play an active role in African Union institutions such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), the AU’s main civil society body.