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| Welcome |
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Welcome to Jamal Osman's website
An independent journalist & film-maker specialising in East Africa.
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| Interviewing the Chandlers: a frightening experience |
| Interviewing the Chandlers, the British couple held by Somali pirates, has been an unpleasant experience. As a Somali living in Britain, I feel a sort of connection with both the gangs and the hostages. The captors are fellow Somalis while the captives are fellow Brits. |
| Meeting Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the alleged bomber |
| In October 2009, I went on an assignment in Yemen for Channel 4 News. The story I pitched to the editor was to see whether Muslims from Britain travel to Yemen for religious purposes or do they train as jihadists. |
| It's wrong to prejudge whether the action of the Somali man was his own or acting on behalf of a group |
| The reaction over the incident of the Somali man, who apparently attempted to attack the Danish cartoonist, shows that there’s still lack of understanding over Muslims. |
| Talking to the kidnappers of the British couple is the best option |
| "Our kidnappers are losing patience. They are concerned that there has been no response at all to their demands for money," the British couple held hostage by Somali pirates said in a video. I have been monitoring this development very closely since their yacht, the Lynn Rival, was hijacked on October 23 2009. |
| Eritrean government should give its citizens basic freedom |
My impression of Eritrea after spending a week there was mix. My initial reaction was wow! I thought with all the negative reports made against the government, things were simple. I was very impressed with Asmara, the capital city - it is a beautiful place - where locals are hospitable. I also felt vey safe, safer than all of the neighbouring countries and even London, where I spend most of my time.
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| If you are not a journalist, do not claim to be one |
| The kidnapping of the two French nationals in Somalia this week highlights the complicated situation in the country. Suhufi Hotel is right at the heart of the government-controlled area and was supposedly safe. Though when I was in Mogadishu in May, I was advised not to stay there. In general. I would say there is no safe place in southern Somalia for Westerners to operate. They could be kidnapped for political or financial purposes. |
| War of words between the Somali-Islamists and the Kenyan government |
| Here in Kenya, there has been an intense debate over the threat posed by the Islamist forces in Somalia, Alshabab and Hizbul Islam. Last month, members of the Kismayo administration in southern Somalia, made threats against Kenya. In response, the Kenyan authority has mobilised its military along the border between the two countries. So, what is likely scenario? |
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| Somali Islamists vow to free British hostages from pirates |
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Read the story
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| Hostages Paul and Rachel Chandler beg for Christmas release |
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Read the story
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