The International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed grave concern over the increasing attacks, arrests, intimidation, and harassment of journalists in Somalia, particularly throughout May 2026. IPI is calling upon the international diplomatic community to enhance engagement with Somali authorities and encourage them to prioritize the protection of journalists and press freedom.
While Somalia has been conducting local council and state assembly elections alongside broader national discussions about the current government’s term and democratic processes, attacks on journalists and limitations on independent reporting have intensified.
IPI and its partners have recorded numerous attacks against journalists in Somalia. The organization has also observed a growing crackdown on media coverage of forced evictions. A series of incidents during May reveals a deeply concerning pattern of repression against journalists nationwide.
On May 6, journalist Shukri Aabi Abdi and cameraman Abdullahi Abdifatah Sidow from Shabelle TV were apprehended by armed police officers in Mogadishu’s Hamar Jajab district while covering forced evictions. The officers reportedly assaulted Shukri, injuring her finger, confiscated her phone, and seized the team’s camera equipment before transporting both journalists to the Hamar Jajab police station. They were released later that day without any charges being filed.
Also on May 6, journalist Ja’far Mohamed Jim’ale and cameraman Noradin Hasan Ali were arrested by police while covering clashes between residents and security forces in Mogadishu’s Dayniile district. The journalists were moved between police stations without notice, allegedly to hide their location from their families and colleagues. While detained, they were reportedly subjected to degrading treatment, and their camera equipment and phones were confiscated. Both journalists were released without charges the next day.
On May 8, 2026, members of Somalia’s U.S.-trained Mobile Vehicle Checkpoint Unit and officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) reportedly raided a restaurant in Mogadishu and arrested three journalists: Mohamed Ibrahim Osman (Bulbul), SJS Secretary for Information and Human Rights, freelance journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre, and Abdishakur Mohamed Mohamud of Somali Stream Online. The journalists were beaten during the raid, with Abdihafid Nor Barre sustaining a head injury that caused bleeding after being struck with a pistol. The journalists were allegedly blindfolded, handcuffed, moved between multiple police facilities, and interrogated about their reporting, including a recent story about a woman allegedly being tortured in prison. They also reported receiving death threats warning them against covering planned opposition protests in Mogadishu. SJS further noted that Somali Stream Online had previously received threats related to its reporting on forced evictions and the planned demonstrations.
The Somali Women Media Association has also reported a growing wave of online attacks targeting journalists and independent media outlets on Meta platforms. Shabelle TV, Universal TV, and Dalsan TV are among media outlets whose content has reportedly been removed or restricted through coordinated reporting campaigns.
In response, SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin called on authorities to end all attacks, harassment, and intimidation against journalists and allow the media to perform their work freely and without fear.
During a critical political period in Somalia marked by local elections and discussions about the current government’s term, independent journalism is essential. We urge the international diplomatic community and multilateral partners to prioritize the safety of journalists in Somalia and engage Somali authorities about the need to uphold press freedom and ensure meaningful accountability for violations against journalists,” stated IPI Africa Programme Lead Nompilo Simanje.
These recent incidents demonstrate an increasingly dangerous environment for independent journalism in Somalia. Journalists must be able to report freely and safely without fear of arrest, violence, or intimidation. Continued attacks on the media undermine democratic participation and public trust, requiring urgent international attention and sustained pressure on Somali authorities,” Simanje added.
During the recent review of Somalia at the U.N. Human Rights Council in May, several states expressed concerns about freedom of expression and the treatment of journalists in the country. For example, specific countries urged Somalia to repeal expression-based offenses in the Anti-Terrorism Act and cease the prosecution and harassment of journalists.