It was half past four p.m., Spanish time, when one of my contacts in Somalia sent me a whatsapp: "We almost kill". Then, I received the video that accompanies this article, where you see Mokhtar, my colleague Somali, and his friends trying to take shelter from a sudden shooting on a street Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia:
Muslims are celebrating worldwide the month of Ramadan, in which fast from dawn to dusk. When breaking the fast food is usually spread through the streets for the poorest. Mokhtar and a group of friends decided to drive to a street in the city center car loaded with food to distribute. One of the guys decided to record the moment, when a military convoy invaded the street and opened fire on a car.
A military convoy invaded the street and opened fire on a car
"In Ramadan, the government increases security on the streets because of the terrorist threat el-Shabab ", Mokhtar account. "The soldiers fired at the car because it was too close to them approached". In Somalia suspicion loads the environment.
It is also one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist; information is a weapon with the AK-47. Carries more risk bring a camera and a notepad that a pocket full of bullets. "There is no official number of journalists killed because there is not even an official number of live journalists, there is much secrecy in the profession ", says Ahmed Juma, journalist based in Mogadishu.
Somalia is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist
"When you make the decision to become a journalist will also become a soldier fighting for a cause, No matter what side you are; we are all threatened ", Mokhtar account. "If you work for the government try to kill terrorists. If you work for Al-Shabab They bombard you. If you try to stay neutral, there will come a day when you have to choose sides; no chance of staying clean ".
The latest victim, Sagal S. Osman, It was a student 24 years he was on his way to college to present his last exam of the race. He worked at a radio of the government and was threatened for a long time.
«When you make the decision to be a journalist you also become a soldier who fights for a cause», Mokhtar account
Somalia journalism consists mostly of young people who do not spend twenty or twenty-one, Without College. They are directly formed by the radio station or agency in which later work, knowing that your life will consist of a not know if the news will give his death sentence. "We have no friends, We can not trust anyone, all we have a price and anyone can be sold. When I questioned my profession and say I'm a journalist throw me a sad look that means "Another dead man", said Mokhtar.
We find the mercenary in a cafe in the Somali neighborhood of Nairobi
The victory of violence is reflected in the numerous mercenaries who live to kill journalists on request, Actually I started researching a year together makes Mokhtar, shocked and appalled by the ease with which one could find them. We are in the cafeteria of the Nomad Palace hotel, in the neighborhood I Somali Nairobi. I could not stop looking at his hands. It seemed a normal guy. A guy seemed relaxed and that made me nervous. The cafe was full at that time and I felt safe. tea was ordered with camel milk to drink. I did not ask anything. I did not know whether to look into his eyes, nor he knew how to look sure of myself, I did not know if maybe I had been deceived and that man was not who I thought he was.
-What is your job? -decidí ask.
-Business he said.
I nodded and concentrated on the carpet stains covering the floor. He started laughing.
-What do you want to know? -I ask.
-How much does a custom?
Mokhtar had told me that the price was about 50 per head.
-about thirty dollars.
The afternoon went well, between short questions and answers terse. He told me that most people who are engaged in "the business" retired to the little have begun. "As they get enough money they will come to Nairobi", said. "If you do not retire soon, run the risk of becoming white ".
"Vigilas to the commission for two weeks. «When you make the decision to be a journalist you also become a soldier who fights for a cause»
The method seemed easier to survive: "Vigilas to the commission for two weeks. Police act when not around and disappear ".
Adhan suddenly began to resonate throughout the room calling for prayer. It was time to pray Asr, about five in Nairobi.
-Excuse me, I'll pray, 'he said as he stood.
When he returned I asked him if he believed that Islam justified his actions.
-Not.
-Why do you do it?
-I do not do it anymore.
-Why you did?
-My work has nothing to do with my religion. Do not try to go that route. In my country it is killed by a fight for free, without consequences. If you offer a few dollars Coges. I thought at the beginning that his reasons that I have made orders, because there were people in suits, with good works. They had a stupid reason to want to kill. I thought if important people wanted someone dead had to be so. The military do the same.
«When you make the decision to be a journalist you also become a soldier who fights for a cause». In my country it is killed by a fight for free. If you offer a few dollars, «When you make the decision to be a journalist you also become a soldier who fights for a cause»
We discussed the political situation in Somalia, on terrorism, Typical dishes on their land. They spent two hours until the time of Maghrib prayer. When he got up again, before turning around, He looked at me smiling:
-You want to make a dua (sentence) for you?
-Yes.
-What do you want me to ask Allah?
-I do not kill.
He walked away laughing.
I left without paying the bill. Total, I had not taken anything.
I spoke after my meeting with several Somali journalists. I told as something extraordinary for a few months, until I realized that anyone could speak with a mercenary and felt for a moment that fear of the speaker Mokhtar. That fear of knowing that death is easier than life.
