The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has officially welcomed Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene as the new Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and Head of the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
During a courtesy visit to the AU Mission headquarters in Mogadishu, NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman was received by Ambassador Diene. Their discussions focused on the state of media freedom in Somalia, the ongoing threats and deadly attacks faced by journalists, and opportunities to deepen collaboration between NUSOJ and the African Union.
After the meeting, Osman reiterated the union’s readiness to continue working with the AU to defend press freedom and strengthen the safety of Somali journalists. “The sacrifices of Somali journalists must never be forgotten, and we consider the AU’s leadership crucial for advancing peace, stability, human rights and democracy in our country,” he said.
He underlined that the African Union is more than a peacekeeping mission, describing it as a continental institution with a clear mandate to protect human rights, promote democratic governance and foster people-centred development. “This vision has guided our engagement with the AU, both through its mission in Somalia and through its institutions dealing with human rights and civil society,” Osman added.
NUSOJ welcomed Ambassador Diene’s appointment, saying his leadership comes at a decisive moment for Somalia’s peace and governance as the country moves towards completing its democratic transition.
The union highlighted its longstanding cooperation with the African Union Mission in Somalia, particularly on initiatives to enhance the safety and security of journalists. This collaboration included AU support for drafting Somalia’s first National Action Plan on the Safety and Protection of Journalists, aligned with the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists.
NUSOJ also plays an active role in AU 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 platform, ensuring that the voices of Somali journalists are represented at continental level.
