MOGADISHU, Somalia, 9 June 2025 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the arrest of two journalists by Puntland police in Galkayo on 6 June, as well as the raid on the Jubbaland TV studio in Mogadishu on 3 June and the confiscation of its equipment.
On 3 June, Jubbaland TV reported that representatives from the Somali Ministry of Information in Mogadishu had “looted” their equipment, including “cameras, computers, and office supplies”, which were essential for the operation of their studio in Mogadishu.
A journalist working for the station told SJS that during the raid, the Jubbaland TV office was unlawfully taken over. Jubbaland TV, which is owned by the Jubaland state, had operated an office and studio within the premises of the Federal Ministry of Information in Mogadishu.
Since October 2024, a deepening constitutional and territorial conflict between Jubbaland and Somalia’s federal government has escalated—from political opposition to electoral disputes, legal warfare, and eventually armed conflict that broke out in December. The dispute has also resulted in the suspension of flights to several towns in Jubbaland.
On Friday, 6 June, Puntland State Police in Galkayo arrested Mohamed Abdul Aziz, Director of Radio Galkayo, and Ahmed Abdiqani Yusuf, a freelance cameraman. The pair were at Awale Football Stadium, where local authorities and members of the public had gathered for Eid-ul-Adha prayers.
Mohamed Abdul Aziz told SJS that he had gone to perform the prayers but was also aware that a group of local youth—previously featured in Radio Galkayo reports—were planning a protest against the city authorities. According to media sources, three of the youth involved in the planned protest were also arrested by police.
Mohamed Abdul Aziz told SJS that he received a phone call from Mudug Police Commissioner Mohamud Abdihakim shortly before his arrest. The commissioner warned him that Radio Galkayo should stop discussing the youth protests. In recent weeks, Radio Galkayo has been at the forefront of covering and discussing the youth-led protests.
Later that day, during a press conference, the Governor of Mudug Region in Puntland, Faysal Sheikh Ali, accused the youth of planning to stage a protest “organized without official permission.” He claimed they had a microphone mounted on a vehicle and had printed “slogans criticizing the city authorities.”
Radio Galkayo—a community-owned station and one of the longest-serving radio outlets in Puntland—condemned the arrests of the youth and journalists as “illegal.” Since mid May 2025, youth in Galkayo have been organizing both online and offline protests demanding improved sanitation, a functional drainage system (as rains have blocked roads), the construction of Galkayo Airport, and the depoliticization of the Galkayo-Xarfo road, which remains suspended due to a dispute between Puntland state and the Somali federal authorities.
The two journalists were released on Saturday after spending a night at the Galkayo North Police Station, Mohamed Abdul Aziz confirmed to SJS.
“The Somali Journalists Syndicate strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of Radio Galkayo director Mohamed Abdul Aziz and freelance cameraman Ahmed Abdiqani Yusuf in Galkayo, as well as the unlawful raid and looting of Jubbaland TV’s studio in Mogadishu by officials from the Ministry of Information,” said Abdalle Mumin, Secretary-General of SJS.
“These actions are not only illegal and abusive but are a clear attempt to intimidate independent media and silence critical reporting. We call on both Puntland authorities and the federal government to immediately end the harassment of journalists, return the confiscated equipment, and respect press freedom as guaranteed by Somalia’s Provisional Constitution and international obligations,” Mr. Mumin added.