Mogadishu – The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has condemned the recent pattern of arrests, intimidation and harassment of media workers in the capital, stating that police and intelligence officers detained several journalists this week as political tensions increased.
NUSOJ reported Saturday that journalists from Kalsan TV, Goobjoog Media Group, Shabelle Media Network, Somali Stream, Somali Cable TV and Kaab TV were targeted in separate incidents between May 6 and May 8. The union stated that none of the detained journalists were formally charged and that proper arrest procedures were not followed.
NUSOJ Secretary-General Omar Faruk Osman described the incidents as “a serious abuse of power and a dangerous attack on media freedom,” noting that journalists were being targeted for performing their professional duties. He called on the federal government to prevent security forces from interfering with journalists and to ensure that media workers can report freely and safely.
The union’s statement was issued as Mogadishu experiences heightened political tension, particularly regarding coverage of confrontations, forced evictions and a planned opposition demonstration.
In one of the most serious cases, NUSOJ reported that Somali police arrested Kalsan TV journalist Ja’far Mohamed Jim’ale and cameraman Noradin Hasan Ali at approximately 5 p.m. on May 6 while they were covering clashes between residents and security forces in the Warlaliska neighborhood of Dayniile district.
The union indicated that the two journalists were initially held at Dayniile District Police Station and later transferred without notice to Garisbaley District Police Station. NUSOJ suggested the transfer was meant to conceal their location from relatives and Kalsan TV managers, who continued searching for them at the first detention site.
While in custody, the two journalists endured degrading treatment, including being forced to perform repeated jumping exercises for extended periods, according to the union. Jim’ale also reported that officers seized a camera and smartphone belonging to the journalists. The equipment remained missing, NUSOJ stated. The journalists were released May 7 without charge.
In a separate incident the same night, Goobjoog Media Group journalist Rowdo Hassan Abdi Takilo was detained by Somali police while traveling home in Mogadishu. NUSOJ reported she was held overnight without explanation and released May 7. Following her release, Abdi stated on social media that officers informed her the arrest was a mistake and that they had intended to detain someone else. She mentioned they provided an informal verbal apology.
Also on May 6, Shabelle Media Network journalist Shukri Aabi Abdi and cameraman Abdullahi Abdifatah Sidow were detained in Hamar Jajab district while reporting on forced evictions. The journalists were transported to Hamar Jajab Police Station and held for several hours before being released the same day. NUSOJ indicated no assault or equipment seizure was reported in that case, but characterized the detention as an unlawful obstruction of journalistic work.
Two days later, on May 8, security officers detained Somali Stream’s Mogadishu office director Abdishakur Mohamed Mohamud Shakra; freelance journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre; and Kaab TV journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul at Kaafi Hospital in Wadajir district. NUSOJ stated the three were not on duty at the time.
The union indicated officers from Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency were involved in the Wadajir detentions. According to NUSOJ, Abdihafid Nor Barre appeared to be the primary target and had been followed by police due to his reporting on politically sensitive issues, including the anticipated opposition demonstration. The three journalists were released later that night.
NUSOJ stated the repeated arrests revealed a concerning pattern in which security forces treat journalists as suspects rather than professionals serving the public interest. The union noted such actions violate Somalia’s constitutional protections for freedom of expression and media freedom.
“What is particularly alarming is that these arrests were conducted without due process, without formal charges and in some instances included degrading treatment and deliberate attempts to hide the location of detained journalists from their families and media organizations,” Osman stated.
The union urged the Federal Government of Somalia to guarantee that police and intelligence officers cease obstructing journalists and that those accountable for unlawful detentions are brought to justice.