MOGADISHU/BAIDOA, Somalia 30 May 2026 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls on the authorities in South West State to respect press freedom and end the intimidation and arbitrary arrests of journalists with the latest case being the unlawful arrest of local journalist Abdirahman Hassan Mohamed in Baidoa on Tuesday 26 May, at a time when the region is grappling with armed conflict, political tensions, and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
On 26 May 2026, South West State police in Baidoa arrested local journalist Abdirahman Hassan Mohamed, one day after he interviewed women khat sellers who complained about an armed robbery allegedly carried out by Somali federal government forces deployed in the city. The interviews were published on Gacal Media, a Facebook-based media platform where Abdirahman works.
Abdirahman told SJS that on Monday, 25 May, he was in central Baidoa when federal government forces opened fire in the city market and allegedly looted khat (miraa) and mobile phones. Several women traders later spoke to the journalist, describing the incident as a robbery and calling on federal authorities to intervene and provide justice.
According to Abdirahman, the following day he was summoned to the Baidoa police station. Upon responding to the summons, he was informed by the head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Dahir Hassan Omar, that he was being arrested for publishing the women’s complaints. Abdirahman said he was told that his arrest “had been ordered by the Bay Regional Police Commander, Sadiq Doodishe.
He remained in police custody without charge until Thursday, 28 May, when he was released.
Baidoa police officials have not yet commented on the journalist’s arrest.
Local journalists told SJS that armed robberies have become an increasingly common problem in Baidoa in recent months, prompting affected residents to speak out through the media despite efforts by local authorities to discourage coverage of the incidents.
Journalists also told SJS that reporting on the conflict between the federal government-backed administration in Baidoa and forces loyal to the former South West State leader, Abdiaziz Laftagareen, has exposed them to threats and intimidation. On Saturday, 30 May, armed clashes erupted in Baidoa between the two sides, resulting in casualties. Civilians have been caught in the middle of the conflict, while the humanitarian situation in the region remains a serious concern.
In its most recent report, the United Nations has confirmed “a real and credible risk of famine in Buurhakaba district” in South West State, while warning that other towns in the region are also being affected by the worsening humanitarian crisis.
“Instead of addressing the reported armed robbery, police in Baidoa decided to arrest the journalist who broke the story. This signals the increasing pressure faced by the journalist community in South West State which is unfortunate,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin “We urge South West State authorities to refrain from using police to intimidate journalists. Police should guarantee the safety and independence of media workers, as well as that of the local population—including women, who are often caught in the midst of this endless conflict—and to ensure that journalists can freely report on community complaints without fear of arrest, harassment, or retaliation.”