Mogadishu/Garowe, Somalia – 9 July 2026 – The Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) strongly condemns the continued detention of journalist Suweys Gacayte, who remains imprisoned in Garowe Central Prison one week after her arrest by Puntland security forces.
Ms. Gacayte was arrested in Garowe on 2 July 2026 and has remained in custody despite mounting concerns regarding the legality of her arrest and detention. Puntland authorities have yet to publicly provide a clear legal basis for her continued imprisonment.
Suweys Gacayte is widely known for her critical reporting on public affairs and governance issues, as well as her popular street interviews that amplify the voices and concerns of ordinary citizens. Through her journalism, she has consistently provided a platform for public debate and accountability.
According to information provided to SOMWA by her lawyer, Abdiweli Sa’iid Xaaji, the arrest and detention of the journalist were carried out in violation of established legal procedures and due process guarantees.
“No legal procedures were followed in the arrest of journalist Suweys Gacayte. To date, she remains in detention without the legal safeguards and judicial processes required by law. Her continued imprisonment lacks legal justification and raises serious concerns about respect for the rule of law,” said lawyer Abdiweli Sa’iid Xaaji.
SOMWA notes with grave concern that Ms. Gacayte is among the women journalists in Somalia who have faced persistent targeting, intimidation, harassment, and abuse of power because of their journalistic work. Her case has been documented in SOMWA’s annual report, “The State of Women’s Media Freedom in Somalia,” for the past two consecutive years, highlighting a pattern of threats and actions aimed at restricting her ability to report freely and independently.
The continued detention of Ms. Gacayte raises serious concerns about the safety of women journalists and the shrinking space for independent journalism. Arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention create a climate of fear among journalists and undermine the public’s right to access independent information.
Commenting on the case, Maryan Seylac, Executive Director of SOMWA, called for the journalist’s immediate and unconditional release.
“The continued detention of journalist Suweys Gacayte without due process is unacceptable and constitutes a grave violation of press freedom and the rule of law. Suweys is a well-known journalist whose work has focused on public accountability and amplifying citizens’ voices. Her case is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of targeting women journalists who dare to report critically on issues of public interest. SOMWA has documented violations against her in our The State of Women’s Media Freedom in Somalia reports for the past two years. We call on Puntland authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Suweys Gacayte and ensure that all actions taken against journalists comply with constitutional protections, media laws, and international human rights obligations.”
SOMWA further urges Puntland authorities to:
- Immediately release journalist Suweys Gacayte unless recognizable criminal charges supported by credible evidence are presented before a competent court.
- Guarantee her access to legal representation, family members, and medical care where necessary.
- Respect constitutional protections for freedom of expression and media freedom.
- End the practice of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and abuse of power targeting journalists.
SOMWA calls on national and international press freedom organizations, human rights defenders, media stakeholders, diplomatic missions, and United Nations agencies to closely monitor the case and engage with Puntland authorities to ensure respect for due process and the protection of journalists.
The association reiterates that a free and independent press is essential for democratic governance, accountability, and public participation. Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear of arrest, harassment, intimidation, or unlawful detention.
ENDS
Media Contact
Maryan Seylac
Executive Director
Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA)
Email: info@somwa.org
Website: www.somwa.org
You may also want to add a sentence noting that her detention comes despite previous concerns raised by SOMWA and other media rights groups about reprisals against women journalists in Puntland, which would further strengthen the pattern-of-abuse argument.
