MOGADISHU, Somalia – July 14, 2025 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has voiced grave concerns over the rising tide of arrests and court-driven intimidation of journalists in North Western State of Somalia, especially in the tension-laden Sanaag region. This stands against the backdrop of heightened security tensions, igniting a critical discourse on the freedom of the press.
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Between March and July 2025, the SJS documented ten alarming instances where journalists faced arrests, detentions, and even mock trials aimed at intimidation. These actions underline an emerging pattern that threatens to erode journalistic freedom. The SJS calls on North Western State of Somalia’s authorities to cease targeting journalists for criticizing state officials and to honor the constitution, which firmly upholds media freedom.
Let us consider the incident on July 1, where police detained Yasir Ahmed Abdillahi in Hargeisa. Yasir, known for his substantial Facebook following of over 102,000 people, had made candid comments about North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro’s visit to Doha, Qatar. He described the visit as “low level,” emphasizing that Qatar had acknowledged the president merely as a regional leader. Charged with being “anti-North Western State of Somalia,” Yasir was thankfully exonerated on July 4 by the Maroodi Jeh court due to insufficient evidence.
Another example reveals the complexity and pressure journalists face. On June 22, in Berbera, local reporter Abdirisaq Qaasim from Saab TV was arrested following anonymous reports he allegedly published. The posts critiqued Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sa’id Mire and MP Mohamed Khadar. However, through the intervention of clan negotiations, Abdirisaq was released after a week in Hargeisa Central Prison. Yet, the silence from Mire and Khadar underscores a lack of dialogue between officials and the press.
Consider the case of Sa’id Muse Farah, known as Sa’id Qurbawi, who faced arrest on June 9 after highlighting complaints from Erigabo TB Hospital employees about the hospital’s inadequate services. Charged with publishing a critical report, Sa’id’s determination to prioritize public interest is laudable. Despite paying a fine, he alleges that undue influence swayed the court’s decisions—a reflection of how power imbalances can skew justice.
In May, journalist Warsame Kaafi Abdirashid Aden shed light on alleged abuses by the head of the Sanaag Appeals Court. Instead of probing these serious claims, authorities arrested Warsame. His report, however, resonates with an unwavering commitment to uncovering truth, despite risking personal freedom. The arrest of the interviewee further emphasizes the crackdown on free speech.
The patterns continue. Mohamed Abdi Hassan (Onkod) was detained after bringing to light local clan tensions. Although accusations of “inciting violence” followed, Onkod was released without charge. The question hangs in the air: What lengths must journalists go to share stories that matter?
Reflecting deeper, on March 20, Yusuf Abdalle Yusuf was detained by the North Western State of Somalia Intelligence Agency merely for reporting a story involving local clans. His hotel arrest and subsequent instructions to remain silent epitomize the tightrope journalists walk in pursuit of truth against authoritarian resistance.
When we explore further back, the March arrest of Qayraan Aadan paints a vivid picture of media suppression. His reporting on nationalizing local militias was met with arrest, an unfortunate testament to clamping down on dissenting voices. Despite the suspension of his Facebook page, Qayraan’s resilience marks the tenacity of journalists in North Western State of Somalia.
Abdalle Mumin, SJS Secretary General, astutely observes, “There is an alarming trend of arrests, detentions, and harassment of journalists in North Western State of Somalia, particularly in the Sanaag region. These incidents reflect an unacceptable attempt to silence independent reporting through unjust detentions and politicized legal proceedings. It’s imperative North Western State of Somalia halts these breaches, ceases targeting critical voices, and respects the media freedoms enshrined in their constitution.”
Through these narratives, we confront evocative questions: How can voices advocating for transparency be protected? Where does the state’s responsibility lie in safeguarding journalists whose work enriches our understanding of complex societal issues?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
