Mogadishu-Somalia: 24/08/2008: Somali Journalists Rights Agency (SOJRA) has condemned the kidnapped of Two Western journalists and also a Somali freelance cameraman by unidentified gunmen near Somalia's capital, Mogadishu.

A Somali translator named Abdi-fitah Mohamed elmi who is also a freelance cameraman and two bodyguards set off with the journalists on Saturday morning for a location near Elasha, 18 kilometres south of the capital, according to Mohamed Ajos, head of security at Mogadishu's Shamo Hotel.

He named the pair as an Australian called Nigel and a Canadian called Amanda Lindhout but had no other details. He said he believed they had been kidnapped.

"We urge the transitional federal government and Islamic groups to do everything in their power to ensure Nigel and Amanda Lindhout are released safely and as soon as possible,” said Daud Abdi Daud SOJRA's General Secretary.

Somalia has become Africa’s most dangerous country for journalists and the world’s deadliest place for media professionals outside Iraq.

SOJRA is a Mogadishu, Independent, not-for profit and not for governmental Agency that fighting for journalists, rights, development, freedoms and safety.