France condemns murder of prominent Somali journalist

France on Tuesday strongly condemned the murder of prominent Somali journalist, Yussuf Absuge, four days ago in that country. France also firmly condemned the assassination the following day of newly-elected Parliamentary Deputy, Mustafa Hajji Mohammed. The murdered journalist was head of the Mantaa independent radio and he is the ninth press man to be murdered in Somalia so far this year. Along with Syria, Somalia is now the most dangerous country in the world for journalists. "France denounces the persistent attempts at destabilising the national reconciliation process in Somalia by terrorist groups and recalls its attachment to the respect of fundamental freedoms," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "We reaffirm our support for the Somali authorities in their fight against terrorism and we want those responsible for these acts to be identified and brought before the courts to answer for their acts," the statement added.