Foreign minister Ahmed Awad said the annual award would be in honour of Nalayeh’s “inspirational” life and would recognise an “outstanding” individual from the Somali diaspora. Somali militant group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. Since its 2006 founding, Al Shabaab has gained territory and terrorised civilians, while carrying out brutal attacks. Journalists have also reported intimidation both from the government and Al Shabaab. Reporters Without Borders put Somalia at 164 of 180 in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index.

Source: The Irish Times July 16, 2019 19:18 UTC