An Assault on Press Freedom in Somalia

On July 5, 2025, the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) voiced a vehement condemnation of a disturbing incident involving the physical assault and unlawful detention of journalist Shukri Caabi Abdi in Mogadishu on July 3, 2025. The perpetrators are believed to be linked to Somalia’s contentious electoral commission. Such acts strike at the very heart of personal freedom and press independence, raising profound questions about the state of democratic norms in Somalia.

It was a typical Thursday morning. Shukri was heading to her news agency in a modest tuk-tuk when her journey took a chilling turn. At around 8:00 a.m., armed men intercepted her vehicle between Buulo Xuubey and Ceel Qalaw in the bustling Wadajir district. Their query was unexpected: “Have you registered as a voter?” Shukri’s response was firm—she had not and did not intend to. But do intentions matter when faced with force?

Their response was swift and harsh. Despite her clear statement, Shukri found herself forcibly taken to a nearby school. There, the scene was all too similar—other pedestrians also swept from the streets, their autonomy stripped away. As Shukri later shared with SJS, “Initially, they didn’t know I was a journalist. But once they discovered my ID, the harassment intensified.” Her journalist identification and cell phone were confiscated, their whereabouts still unknown, a stark violation of her privacy and professional rights.

Held captive for hours, her personal details, including photographs and full name, were seized against her will. Released later that day, she was unable to return to work, choosing instead the refuge of home—underscoring a chilling reality: who can guarantee safety in such circumstances?

Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, head of the controversial electoral commission, had proclaimed weeks earlier that no citizen would be coerced into registering. Yet, the mounting reports of such violations tell a different story. Shukri’s ordeal sits among many, where authorities like the national police or the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) are accused of forceful voter registration, particularly targeting women and youth. It paints a troubling tableau of civic oppression and human rights infringements.

The media, crucial watchdogs of society, are not immune. On June 12, 2025, NISA agents targeted Himilo Somali TV in Mogadishu, deleting an interview critical of the electoral commission—a daring exposé featuring a young man who courageously shared his abduction experience. He too had been forcibly enrolled as a voter and spoke out, shedding light on a systemic abuse of power.

A month earlier, on May 5, journalists Bashir Ali Shire and Mohamed Omar Baakaay faced a harrowing ordeal. Their reports on the compelled voter registration led to a raid. This was amid public incitements to violence against journalists by Farah Adani, then the district commissioner. Although Adani later apologized, the stain of such threats lingers.

May was tumultuous. Turkish-trained forces assaulted journalists covering protests in Kaxda, further illustrating the dangers media practitioners face. Equipment confiscated, lives threatened—the message was clear: suppression at any cost.

A personal reflection—I once met a journalist who shared her experiences in conflict zones. Her words resonate today, “In our silence, we condone. In our speech, we resist.” Such incidents compel us to ponder, if journalists are silenced, who is left to speak truth to power?

The implications are grave. Forcing a journalist into political participation undermines democratic values and exposes a frightening disregard for press autonomy. The added dimension of gender, when involving female journalists, intensifies this violation, touching on gender-based violence.

The Somali Journalists Syndicate stands firm in its condemnation. “We strongly condemn the seizure of journalist Shukri Caabi Abdi,” affirmed SJS Secretary-General Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, demanding the immediate return of her ID card. “Authorities must urgently investigate, ensuring Shukri’s safety and holding accountable those responsible. Silencing the press through threats or violence is intolerable and demands justice,” Mumin declared.

In these moments of crisis, we must ask ourselves—how can we champion democracy if the voice of truth is stifled?