Amid ongoing crackdown on media freedom, SJS condemns latest arbitrary arrests of journalists in Mogadishu and Northern Somalia

Friday February 24, 2023

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the a number of, however separate arrests towards journalists and media group in Mogadishu, Banadir area and Wajale city in Northern Somalia, the most recent in a string of assaults towards journalists within the nation as effectively demand the top of those assaults.

On 10 February 2023, SJS lawyer and authorized adviser for the journalists, Abdirahman Hassan Omar sustained a number of accidents after he was attacked by 4 armed adult males whilst he was heading residence from work. Four adult males (three armed) and one driving a tuk tuk (bajaj) attacked him with a number of leg and hand accidents. SJS had reported the incident to the police who promised to analyze and we’re awaiting extra info from them. Despite, his elimination from the protection workforce by the court docket, which SJS considers weakening their protection, Avv. Abdirahman was section of the protection attorneys of SJS secretary-general, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin within the press freedom case on the Banadir Regional Court.

SJS lawyer and authorized adviser for the journalists, Abdirahman Hassan Omar. | PHOTO/SJS.

On 12 February 2023, Somali police in Kaaraan district, Mogadishu, detained two Risaala Media Corporation journalists Qasim Ibrahim Adani and videographer Abdikarin Mohamud Mohamed who have been reporting a protest by the regional transporters who have been complaining towards street closure at Sana’a intersection in Mogadishu’s Kaaraan district. At the police station, the journalists have been ordered to delete the footageof the protesters and chorus from overlaying any additional protests by the Kaaraan district police station commander, Salaad Arale, earlier than they have been freed for free of charge.

On Sunday 19 February 2023, Northern Somalia police in Wajale detained Saab TV reporter Guled Ali Ibrahim a day after he uncovered an unlawful tax assortment by the mayor of the border city of Wajale. The journalist posted receipts exhibiting unlawful taxation on his Facebook. According to colleagues, the journalist was held on the police station. He was freed on Tuesday 21 February after he was compelled to retract his Facebook submit.

Risaala Media Corporation journalists Qasim Ibrahim Adani (left) and videographer Abdikarin Mohamud Mohamed (desirable). | PHOTO/Courtesy/SJS.Risaala Media Corporation journalists Qasim Ibrahim Adani (left) and videographer Abdikarin Mohamud Mohamed (desirable). | PHOTO/Courtesy/SJS.

Saab TV reporter Guled Ali Ibrahim. | PHOTO/Courtesy/ SJS.

On Monday, 20 February 2023, the Somali intelligence brokers in Mogadishu briefly detained Ali Elmi Salaad and Sakariye Mohamed Salad, a reporter and a cameraman for the privately-owned Radio Kulmiye in Mogadishu. According to the Director of Radio Kulmiye Burhaan Diini Farah, the radio journalists have been overlaying a disputed election by the Banadir Truck Owners Cooperative. Upon arrest, they have been taken to NISA headquarters called ‘Habar Khadijo‘, where they were held for an hour and after interrogations they were freed without charges.

“We condemn these arbitrary arrests in the strongest terms possible and call for the end of all attacks against journalists,” Mohamed Ibrahim, SJS President said, “Arbitrary arrests, threats and harassment against the press discourages the journalists’ skill to freely and independently report tales on public curiosity and can lead the media residences and journalists to perform self-censorship out of concern, which is able to give room for the critical tales unreported.”

“Federal and regional authorities should respect both the federal and regional constitutions that guarantee the press freedom and the freedom of expression and guarantee the safety and security of the journalists in order for them to be able to exercise their profession without fear.” Mr. Ibrahim added. “SJS courageously reiterates that accountability for crimes against journalists as a gross human rights violation, including individual accountability, is key to end ongoing attacks against the media community and it will reinstate public trust in justice and security institutions to rebuild the rule of law and sustainable peace in Somalia.”

Ali Elmi Salaad (left) and Sakariye Mohamed Salad (desirable), a reporter and a cameraman for the privately-owned Radio Kulmiye. | PHOTO/Courtesy/SJS.