MOGADISHU, Somalia 8 May 2026 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the increasing attacks on journalists covering forced evictions in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and calls on the Federal Government of Somalia to end all attacks, intimidation, and threats against the media during this period of political uncertainty.
In a single day, at least five local journalists were arrested and had their equipment confiscated, placing immense pressure on journalists working in Mogadishu.
On 6 May 2026, armed police officers in Mogadishu’s Hamar Jajab District arrested Shukri Aabi Abdi and her cameraman Abdullahi Abdifatah Sidow of Shabelle TV while they were reporting from the scene of forced evictions. Shukri told SJS that the officers assaulted her, injured her finger, and confiscated her phone. The officers also seized the journalists’ camera equipment before taking them to the Hamar Jajab police station.
The two journalists were released later that afternoon without charge.
On the same day, armed police arrested two journalists — Ja’far Mohamed Jim’ale and cameraman Nur Hasan Ali of Kalsan TV— in Mogadishu while they were reporting from the site of another forced eviction taking place in the Warlaliska neighborhood of Dayniile District, north of Mogadishu. According to colleagues at Kalsan TV, the two journalists remain in detention and their whereabouts are unknown.
Armed clashes continued in the Warlaliska area that afternoon, resulting in the deaths of at least two local residents where forced evictions had intensified, according to media reports, while several others were injured, causing displacement among already vulnerable communities.
In the Hamar Jajab neighborhood, media reports indicated that women, children, and other vulnerable individuals were among those affected by the forced evictions carried out by armed police, which reportedly involved the use of live bullets to intimidate residents resisting the evictions. Just days ago, at least three civilians were killed in the same area as armed police conducted forced evictions.
On the evening of Wednesday, 6 May, armed police officers manning a security checkpoint on the Mogadishu airport road stopped and arrested Rowda Taakilo, a woman reporter working for the Goobjoog TV while she was walking on the street. Rowda told SJS that the officers confiscated her phone and forced her to hand over her passwords before transferring her to the Hodan police station, where she was held overnight.
She was released on Thursday morning, 7 May, without charge.
SJS is concerned that attacks on journalists covering forced evictions and police violence are increasing. It is particularly alarming that women journalists, especially field reporters covering the ongoing evictions, are facing escalating threats and attacks.
“We strongly condemn the arrests, intimidation, and confiscation of equipment targeting journalists covering forced evictions in Mogadishu. These actions represent a serious violation of press freedom and must end immediately,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin, “We also call for the immediate and unconditional release of the two Kalsan TV journalists – Ja’far Mohamed Jim’ale and cameraman Nur Hasan Ali – who remain in detention and whose whereabouts are currently unknown, and urge authorities to ensure their safety.”
“We further call on the authorities to cease all attacks, harassment, and intimidation against journalists and allow the media to carry out their work freely and without fear,” added Mr. Mumin.