The Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA) strongly condemns the arrest, assault, harassment, and intimidation of five journalists by Somali government security forces in Mogadishu, describing the incidents as part of a growing pattern of violations against media professionals in Somalia.
Journalists Shukri Caabi Abdi and cameraman Abdullahi Abdifatah Siidow of Shabelle Media Network were arrested in the Xamar Jajab district of Banaadir Region while interviewing residents who were protesting the demolition and seizure of homes they claimed ownership of. Before being detained, journalist Shukri Caabi Abdi was physically assaulted by security personnel. The forces involved also confiscated the journalists’ professional equipment, including cameras and personal mobile phones.
In a separate incident in the Deyniile district, Kalsan TVeditor Jacfar Mohamed Jimale and cameraman Nur Hasan Ali were arrested and detained at a military station while reporting on clashes involving government forces carrying out forced evictions of civilians. Residents reportedly resisted the displacement operation, leading to tensions and violence on the ground.
Additionally, Rowda Hassan Taakilo, a media worker with Goobjoog Media, was detained while covering the same incident in Deyniile. Her whereabouts remain unknown, raising serious concerns about her safety and wellbeing. SOMWA calls on the Somali authorities to urgently disclose her location, guarantee her safety, and ensure her immediate release.
SOMWA notes with grave concern that attacks against journalists, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, confiscation of equipment, and restrictions on independent reporting are becoming increasingly common in Somalia. Media workers continue to face threats, violence, and obstruction while carrying out their professional duties, particularly when reporting on issues related to public grievances, security operations, forced evictions, and accountability.
These actions represent clear violations of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, both of which are protected under Somalia’s Provisional Constitution, the Somali Media Law, and international human rights obligations to which Somalia is a party.
Maryan Seylac, Executive Director of SOMWA, stated:
“The repression and intimidation of the media by government authorities is unacceptable. Security forces have a responsibility to protect journalists and guarantee their safety, but it is deeply unfortunate that they have instead become the source of harm against them. The continued attacks on journalists create fear, silence independent reporting, and undermine democratic accountability.”
SOMWA further warns that the increasing targeting of journalists, especially women media workers, threatens the already fragile media environment in Somalia and discourages independent journalism that is essential for transparency, public awareness, and peacebuilding.
SOMWA therefore calls on the Somali government to:
SOMWA also calls upon national human rights institutions, civil society organisations, international partners, and press freedom advocates to closely monitor these violations and support efforts aimed at protecting journalists and defending media freedom in Somalia.
