MOGADISHU, Somalia 13 August 2025 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) today participated in a round-table discussion hosted by the UK Embassy in Mogadishu on media freedom in Somalia, the challenges faced by journalists, and the progress made so far.
SJS representatives and members of the Mogadishu media community had the opportunity to engage with Ambassador Charles King, who recently assumed his role as the new UK Ambassador to Somalia.
“Welcome to Somalia — where democracy does not work and where media freedom does not exist,” said SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, in his opening remarks.
SJS expressed deep concern over the threats posed by both Al-Shabaab and the Somali Federal Government to press freedom, stressing the serious impact these threats have had on journalists.
“Journalists cannot operate in Al-Shabaab-controlled areas, while the Somali government has now adopted similar tactics to block media reporting. NISA officers are increasingly patrolling Maka al-Mukarama Road — the only road in Mogadishu where people once felt safe — and it is no longer safe now,” Bulbul added.
SJS also reported an increase in attacks in Somaliland. So far in 2025, SJS has documented over 80 cases of journalist arrests, restrictions, and other violations in Somalia and Somaliland.
A matter of particular concern raised by media directors during the meeting was that some Mogadishu media outlets “were bribed and coerced into signing agreements” that allegedly prohibited critical reporting on the disputed electoral body’s activities. These activities have included multiple reported incidents of kidnappings of vulnerable members of the local community and forced voter registration.
Similarly, forced evictions in Mogadishu are going largely unreported. Thousands of vulnerable families have been forcibly removed from their homes by armed government forces allegedly linked to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Journalists are now saying the government has promised “plot of land and money” to bribe certain media owners in exchange for suppressing coverage of these forced evictions.
SJS underscored that the recent attacks on journalists, arbitrary arrests, restrictions on reporting forced evictions, and forced voter registration in Mogadishu constitute human rights violations. SJS stresses that perpetrators should be held accountable regardless of their position or the weapons they possess.
SJS further noted that some journalists face pressure from their own media owners, who themselves have been compromised.
The outdated Somali Penal Code and the so-called Counter-Terrorism Bill remain major tools used to suppress reporting on security issues — all while Al-Shabaab militant group has intensified its terror attacks in and around Mogadishu.
SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin, welcomed the candid and constructive exchange between the UK Ambassador and the Somali media community as a valuable platform to address urgent press freedom concerns.
“This discussion was a rare opportunity for Somali journalists to speak directly and openly with an international partner about the daily realities we face. Press freedom in Somalia is under unprecedented pressure — from both armed groups and state institutions — and we need stronger international support to protect journalists, uphold the public’s right to know, and defend our democracy,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.
Ambassador Charles King stated UK’s commitment to support free, safe, and independent journalism in Somalia.
“Powerful voices, empowering conversations. Today’s roundtable with Somali journalists shone a light on the progress and challenges in protecting #MediaFreedom. The UK proudly stands with Somalia press — free, safe, and independent journalism is vital for democracy,” Ambassador King posted on X (formerly Twitter).