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An alarming situation unfolds as Abduqadir Mohamed Nur, a Somali journalist, is reportedly snatched from his home and held captive, a move that sparks concern for freedom of the press, as voiced by the media union.
Advocates for press freedom have raised alarms over the incident occurring early Friday morning, claiming Nur was taken by intelligence agents.
The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), an organization representing journalists, blasted the detention of Nur as a flagrant violation, accusing the authorities of targeting him and Risaala Media Corporation for their critical coverage of state security forces.
Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, SJS’s secretary general, has urged the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) to free Nur, emphasizing the facility he’s detained in has a grim reputation for using torture.
Mumin stated, “We’re calling for an impartial probe into this unlawful incident, stressing accountability for those infringing on journalists’ rights and justice principles.”
Mohamed Abduwahab, head of Risaala Media Corporation, condemned “the abduction and unlawful actions” against Nur, who is also known by the moniker “Jakarta.”
According to SJS, both Risaala and Nur’s family recounted men storming into his home in the dead of night, around 3 a.m., seizing his electronic devices.
This dramatic event followed the arrest of other employees from Risaala, who were similarly critical of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s security forces. SJS noted that these arrests jeopardize press liberty and the public’s right to unbiased information.
The Guardian highlighted the earlier arrest of journalist AliNur Salaad back in July for similar coverage, bringing to light ongoing threats to press freedom.
In August, SJS condemned assaults on journalists reporting on protests in Mogadishu centered around rising living costs, and reported on the disappearance of Ali Mohammed Ahmed, known as Ali Shujac, who vanished after being seized by plainclothes police during public interviews.
In July, Said Abdullahi Kulmiye faced detention due to his coverage of police and armed men soliciting bribes at checkpoints, while in May, journalists Sharma’arke Abdi Mahdi and Abdinur Hayi Hashi were reportedly shot at by policemen in Dhobley town.
On a dismal note, Somalia ranks 145th out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index, highlighting the challenges journalists face in reporting without constraints.
Press freedom advocates have voiced opposition to a proposed information law, which the government argues will curb leaks and safeguard source confidentiality.
However, campaigners warn it could hinder journalistic efforts to uncover and report issues of public importance.
A letter from regional and international advocates, including the International Federation of Journalists, cautioned, “This could be easily misused to shield government activities from scrutiny, threatening the fundamental right to information and enabling possible abuses of authority.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
