MOGADISHU, Somalia, 19 September 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is concerned about recent incidents of hate speech and discrimination targeting media houses broadcasting in the Maay language and journalists covering the court case of a femicide victim in Mogadishu.
On 16 September 2024, a female journalist working for the Maay-language private broadcaster Arlaadi Media was subjected to what has been described as “discriminatory” harassment during a press conference jointly held by Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, in Mogadishu. During the press briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, journalist Amina Ibrahim Abdirahman grilled Minister Fiqi on recent derogatory statements he made regarding Somalia-Ethiopia relations, following tensions between the two countries.
However, before the journalist could finish her question, she was interrupted by Mohamed Abdi Waare, the current Deputy Executive Secretary of IGAD and former president of Somalia’s Hirshabelle regional state who in an audible voice, interrupted and told her “to stop” asking her question.
According to journalists who were present at the event, Mr. Waare not only intimidated the female journalist, but his actions were also a clear attempt to demean her language on an important subject, amid growing hate speech toward certain communities. Amina told SJS that she “felt frightened, belittled, and demeaned” because of her language and the context in which she asked such an important question to the officials.
Despite Minister Fiqi allowing the female reporter to continue her question, he proceeded in his response to cast doubt on his understanding of the Maay language.
Separately, journalists and editors who speak the Maay language told SJS that they feel discriminated against. Sometimes their requests for interviews are turned down by government officials and supporters of the federal government in Mogadishu.
This comes just a few weeks after a comment made by the Director-General of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of Somalia’s federal government referred to the people of Baay and Bakool, predominantly Maay-language speakers, as “children of Ethiopian men,” in reference to recent protests in those regions against the reported deployment of Egyptian forces as part of the new AU mission for 2025.
SJS is also concerned about the recurrent hate-filled rhetoric directed at journalists covering the court case involving the killing of Luul Abdiasis, a 29-year-old pregnant woman from a marginalized community who was brutally murdered by her husband on 26 January 2024 in Mogadishu. The suspected perpetrator, who had previously evaded justice, was arrested and has been in court since February. However, media houses and journalists advocating for justice for Luul and her family have repeatedly been labeled as “causing fitnah” or discord, as some have even pointed fingers to the community these journalists come from.
On Wednesday, 18 September, a group of people gathered outside the Banadir Regional Court, where a statement was made once again targeting journalists with intimidation.
SJS denounces these statements and all hate-filled remarks directed at the brave journalists reporting on human rights. These journalists deserve protection and praise, not intimidation, hate, and threats.
“We strongly condemn the recent hateful remarks made against journalists and media houses covering the court case of victim Luul Abdiaziz. We call for those making these statements to stop. We also denounce the discrimination and hate targeted at Maay-language journalists in Mogadishu,” said the Secretary-General of SJS, Abdalle Mumin.
“We call on federal government authorities to investigate their officials and other individuals for making hateful statements against media and community members and to hold them accountable. Journalists who risk their lives to cover human rights issues deserve protection, and their work should be recognized as crucial for holding perpetrators of human rights violations accountable,” added Mr. Mumin.