Both Somali government officials and other officials working in Somalia confirmed to ABC News that the men said they were journalists as a cover for their mission. The hotel's manager also reportedly said that the two men registered as journalists at check-in.
"Pretending to be a journalist puts the real journalists in danger," says Soazig Dollete of Reporters Without Borders. "It's not that we are against authorities pretending to be something else for their safety and cover, but Somalia is already a very dangerous for foreign journalists. It's not a joke."
Somalia hasn't had a functioning government in nearly 20 years, and is considered to be a lawless country. The current government headed by moderate Islamist Sheikh Sharif Ahmed is currently locked in a fierce battle with insurgent groups. It's considered to be one of the most dangerous places in the world for foreigners and journalists. Humanitarian organizations have no international staff permanently based in the country.
At least five local journalists have been killed this year so far. Two foreign journalists, a Canadian and an Australian, kidnapped near Mogadishu last August remain in captivity.
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