MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 22, 2017 The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) congratulates the newly elected president of Somalia, his excellency Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmaajo) on his inauguration as the President of Federal Republic of Somalia.

Somali people across the country welcomed with great enthusiasm and celebrated to the election of the new Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo hoping that the new administration will restore peace & security in the country. Thousands of cheering people took to the streets of Mogadishu onFebruary82016when Somalia parliament speaker Mohamed Osman Jawaari announced officially Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo as President-elect of the nation.

The voting process, which lasted months, began with 14,000 elders and regional figures choosing 275 members of parliament and 54 senators, who then had to choose among 21 candidates.

The Somali Journalists are working in dangerous environment a journalist dares to report, killed with impunity and hopes that the new government of the Federal Republic of Somalia to address the issue of safety and the security of journalists in order journalists be able to report freely without fear of reprisals and guaranteeing the freedom of expression and the press. In 2016, 3 journalists were killed and none of the culprits have been brought to justice and almost sixty journalists were detained across Somalia. Tactics meant to undermine the freedom of the press.

"On behalf of the Somali journalists and the Somali media at large, I congratulate his excellency, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo on his election as the President of Somalia.” Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, NUSOJ Secretary General said, "We have no doubt that the President-elect will give priority to the protection of journalists, safety and security wise and guaranteeing freedom of expression and the press in the first place.”

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• The National Union of Somali Journalists calls on Somalia’s new President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo to take the following recommendations to facilitate the journalists to work for the community and provide the truth they need to know.

• Take all necessary measures to combat impunity against the media professionals and investigate thoroughly and persecute thoseresponsible. By doing so,
• End unlawful detentions, arbitrary arrests, intimidation and harassment against journalists and the media workers and create safe environment for the media professionals and guarantee the safety of journalists by prioritizing the eradication of the continuing impunity against freedom of expression and other human rights violations, especially among law enforcement agents and the armed forces and strenuous efforts need to be made to put to an end these extremely serious crimes against journalists.

• Strengthen the justice system and rule of law and Guarantee the independence of the judiciary and halt the use of the Penal Code and Terrorism laws to suppress the right to freedom of expression and of the press, decriminalize media offenses, and review media laws in line with international standards of freedom of expression.

• Review Somali media bill in line with the International norms and standards and with the full participation of the Somali media stakeholders

• Provide practical support and expertise to the media on safety issues and documentation of atrocities committed against media;

• Provide resources to the media in Somalia to rebuild itself and improve on the capacities of its practitioners;

The new president will have to deal with multiple challenges: the threat posed by extremist groups in Somalia, a looming famine, weak institutions, feuding factions and rampant unemployment in a country where more than 70% of the population is under the age of 30.

National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) thanks to a former President of Somalia Hassan Shiekh Mohamud who conceded defeat and urged Somalis to strongly support the new president., marking the third consecutive election that Somalia has experienced a peaceful transfer of power since the country began emerging from decades of war.

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