MOGADISHU, Somalia – 17 March, 2025 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the unlawful detention of journalist Bahjo Abdullahi Salad of RTN TV and the raid on her home, which took place on Saturday, 15 March, 2025, in Mogadishu by members of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
Bahjo’s detention followed her reporting on a video exposing rubbish and leftover food dumped in Wardhiigley district. In her report, Bahjo highlighted the health risks posed to the local community, particularly young children, and called on government officials to “clear their rubbish,” according to a video reviewed by SJS. The Somali Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, had attended the same event, which was intended as a public relations showcase for Mogadishu’s security amid growing public concern over increasing insecurity in and around the capital.
Soon after the clip went viral, NISA officers raided Bahjo’s house and took her to the Wardhigley police station where she spent four hours with police interrogation. She was freed after fellow journalists protested for her freedom.
Bahjo’s arrest is the latest in a wider crackdown on press freedom in Somalia. On 6 March, Somalia’s Minister of Information, Daud Aweys, announced new restrictions on local media houses, journalists, and the general public, barring them from reporting on security failures in the capital.
His statement followed a Somali Cabinet meeting held the same day. Minister Aweys said: “Today, 6th of March, 2025, the Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia has issued critical decisions, and we urge all Somali citizens to pay close attention. These decisions will result in various legal actions and punishment. As outlined in previous laws and regulations passed by the Council of Ministers, citizens are once again reminded that it is strictly prohibited to misuse or fabricate information—whether directly or indirectly—through any form of media, including social media. Anyone found guilty of such actions will face legal consequences, including prosecution in court and severe punishment in accordance with the law. It is strictly forbidden to broadcast or publish statements or news—whether on social media or radio—that could incite unrest, threaten national security, or spread false information.”
This statement came after the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu issued a security alert on 4 March 4, stating: “The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu is tracking credible information related to potential imminent attacks against multiple locations in Somalia, including Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport. All movements of U.S. Embassy Mogadishu personnel have been canceled until further notice.”
Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Kenya had issued a statement on 27 February, announcing: “The U.S. Government has made the decision to not use Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu for official U.S. Embassy Mogadishu travelers until further notice. We will send updates as appropriate.”
These U.S. statements were widely covered by local journalists in Somalia. Following this, several airlines have announced the suspension of their direct flights to Mogadishu.
On 6 March, the Banadir Regional Police Commissioner, Mahdi Omar Mumin (known as Moalim Mahdi), vowed to detain “anyone who reports on security issues in a hot and dark cell with no lights.”
The ban on media reporting about security and threats of arrest and persecution have left residents of Mogadishu—and Somalis in general—in the dark about insecurity issues, even as Al-Shabaab carries out violent attacks near the capital, particularly in Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle regions.
“The arrest of journalist Bahjo Abdullahi Salad and the escalating threats against independent media coverage in Somalia are blatant attacks on press freedom. Targeting journalists for reporting on public health hazards and security concerns is not only unlawful but also deeply concerning,” said Abdalle Mumin, the Secretary-General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).
“The media plays a crucial role in informing the public about what is happening on the ground. Silencing journalists and imposing restrictions on reporting security failures will only worsen the situation, leaving citizens in the dark and enabling impunity,” Mumin added, “We urge the Mogadishu authorities to respect press freedom and the right of the Somali people to access truthful and timely information.”