Global General
Suicide bomber hits Somali graduation, 22 dead
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-12-04 09:58
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 A Somali journalist wounded in an explosion at Hotel Shamo is assisted by nurses outside Madina hospital in Mogadishu December 3, 2009. [Agencies] |
African troops protecting the government wage near daily battles with Islamic militants who hold much of central and southern Somalia. Bombings have become deadlier as al-Shabab militants receive training from Arab militants and veteran insurgents from the Afghanistan and Pakistan conflicts.
Three journalists were reported killed. Besides Zubeir, two other Somali journalists working for local outlets also died, said Bashir Khalif, a reporter for the Somali government's radio service.
"Somalia is the worst place for journalism in Africa and is very close to being the worst place in the world," said a committee official, Tom Rhodes. "Reporters are not only the victims of the conflict but the targets of the conflict."
Top Somali officials, including the president and prime minister, met for an emergency session at the presidential palace after the attack.
Benadir University was established in 2002 by a group of Somali doctors who wanted to promote higher education in a country where physicians have become victims of the seemingly endless violence. Medical degrees are obtained there after six years of study.
More than 500 students are enrolled in the university, according to its Web site, which said the school "strives to establish an open system of innovation and critical thinking similar to that in developed countries.
