The execution comes days after two other al-Shabaab members were executed for the murder of a journalist killed by a vehicle bomb past year in Somalia.
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Haji was a liaison officer with al-Shabab and known for threatening journalists for not reporting in favor of the extremist group.
His allegiance to al-Shabab went public after he continuously broke news about the group and eventually split off to join its propaganda station, Radio Andalus.
CPJ said most journalists killed in Somalia are “targeted by al-Shabaab militants who for years have threatened and assaulted journalists in relation to their coverage of the group’s activities”.
A masked Hanafi was tied to a pole before government forces opened fire at an execution field at a police training camp, according to witnesses.
Al Shabaab, whose name means “The Youth”, seeks to impose its strict version of sharia law in Somalia, where it frequently unleashes attacks targeting security and government targets, as well as hotels and restaurants in the capital.
Hassan Hanafi Haji, who was extradited from Kenya previous year on the request of the Somali government, was killed by firing squad at a police academy in Mogadishu on Monday.
Five people were killed and seven others injured on Monday when a auto loaded with explosives exploded near the office of Mogadishu mayor.
The Shebab was chased out of Mogadishu in 2011 but remains a risky threat in both Somalia and neighbouring Kenya where it carries out frequent attacks.
Since 2007, more than 25 journalists have been killed in Somalia, arguably one of the world’s most risky and failed states.
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Somalia has been the scene of deadly clashes between government forces and al-Shabab militants since 2006.
