MOGADISHU, Somalia 8 February 2026 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the repeated acts of blockade, intimidation, and threats against journalists covering the Somali Parliament’s joint sessions, amid ongoing controversy over proposed constitutional changes in Mogadishu.
On Wednesday, 28 January, journalists covering a joint parliamentary session were barred from entering the chamber as lawmakers prepared to begin debate.
Journalists told SJS that they were forced to remain outside after being denied access by police officers and members of the Presidential Guard stationed at the parliament gates.
On Monday, 2 February, five reporters covering parliament for Arlaadi Media, Somali Cable TV, Goobjoog TV, Mustaqbal Media, and Risaala Media Corporation were banned from accessing parliament. Their media houses were informed that these journalists would no longer be allowed to cover parliamentary sessions due to their publication of videos showing a physical altercation between MPs during chaos inside parliament on 28 January. Of the five journalists, three are women and two are men, and all have since been prevented from reporting from parliament.
On Saturday, 7 February, all journalists and media crews attempting to cover a parliamentary joint session were blocked and refused entry. The session was scheduled to debate the controversial constitutional amendments, despite objections and rejection of the agenda by opposition MPs. Journalists were seen leaving the parliament as they could not access the hall.
SJS further expresses grave concern over an incident involving blockage and death threats by a National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) officer against journalists and staff at Radio Risaala.
On 31 January, an armed NISA officer blocked the gate of Radio Risaala, a local radio station in Mogadishu, and denied journalists reporting for their morning shift access to the premises. Journalists at Radio Risaala told SJS that the station had been covering opposition meetings and the unrest in parliament.
Radio Risaala reported that the officer forcibly confiscated two journalists’ mobile phones and harassed staff while remaining seated at the station’s entrance until midday, when he eventually left.
NISA did not respond to SJS’s requests for clarification regarding the incident. In the past, NISA and officials from the Ministry of Information have repeatedly targeted journalists working for Radio Risaala.
“We condemn the repeated blocking, intimidation, and targeting of journalists covering Somalia’s parliament in Mogadishu as it is unacceptable and constitutes a clear violation of press freedom and the public’s right to information,” said SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin “Journalists have a constitutional and professional right to access parliamentary sessions, especially at a time when controversial constitutional changes are being debated. The public has the right to see and hear what is happening in the parliament.”
“SJS calls on the authorities to immediately lift all restrictions on media access, end harassment of journalists, and guarantee a safe and enabling environment for the press to carry out its duty without fear or interference,” adds Mr. Mumin.