MOGADISHU, Somalia, 4 October, 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the release of journalist Luqman Sheikh Abdullahi Kerow, on Friday evening 4 October. He had spent more than 24 hours in NISA detention in Luuq town, Gedo region, Somalia.
At around 4:00 pm local time, on Thursday, 3 October, 2024, the Arlaadi Media Network reporter Luqman Sheikh Abdullahi Kerow was detained at a NISA detention center in Luuq town. The journalist’s arrest followed a post on his Facebook page announcing the “upcoming appointment of a new security commander for Luuq town”, a director of Arlaadi Media Network Abdirahman Jeylani, told SJS.
According to the journalist and other sources in the region, Luqman was called by the NISA commander in Luuq town, Abdirahman Sahane, and was ordered to come to the NISA office on Thursday. Upon his arrival, he was questioned about the source of his post regarding the new security commander’s appointment. He was then detained at the NISA detention center in Luuq town, where he spent the night.
He was freed this evening on Friday at 8:00 pm after being forced to delete the Facebook post and publish an apology, which is still online on his Facebook page.
“There were no charges, but my phone was confiscated. When my parents came to see me, they were denied access,” Luqman told SJS shortly after his release.
Luuq town has recently witnessed widespread violence, resulting in the displacement of the local community after clan militia groups, backed by local security forces, fought over the control of the town. Journalists told SJS that despite efforts to reconcile the warring sides, tension still remains, making it difficult for local journalists to operate.
Journalists are not only affected by the conflict but also by the humanitarian crisis impacting their communities. In recent SJS training activities, Luqman and other reporters in the region were trained in reporting on the impacts of climate change on their communities, as Gedo region continues to be severely affected by worsening climate conditions. In April this year, nearly 100,000 people were affected by heavy rains and flash floods that hit the previously drought-stricken Bardhere district in the Gedo region alone.
“We strongly condemn the unjust detention of journalist Luqman Sheikh Abdullahi Kerow and the continued harassment of journalists in Gedo region. While we welcome Luqman’s release,” said SJS Secretary-General, Abdalle Mumin.
“We call on the local authorities in Gedo region to cease the intimidation and unlawful treatment of journalists who are simply doing their job by reporting on matters of public interest. Journalists must be allowed to operate freely and without fear of retribution,” Mr. Mumin added.