On 4 March 2026, police in Erigabo arrested local journalist Mohamed Saleban Ahmed, known as Suute, following the publication of a news report on 3 February that discussed drought conditions in the Sool and Sanaag regions. Suute told SJS that he was released without charge after spending two days in police custody.

On 15 March, the Sanaag Regional Prosecutor of Somaliland, based in Erigabo, issued a charge sheet against the journalist, accusing him of “spreading false information.” On 18 March, the Erigabo District Court summoned the journalist to appear for a hearing in the case brought by the regional prosecutor. According to the charge sheet, which SJS had seen, the Somaliland government is listed as the “victim.”

The journalist’s report, which SJS reviewed, included interviews with rural communities who said they had not received aid despite being severely affected by the ongoing drought.

Suute told SJS that the Deputy Governor of the Sanaag region, Salah Yusuf Diriye, was pushing the case, alleging that local authorities were unhappy with the report and were attempting to silence public complaints about lack of aid. Deputy Governor Diriye was not reachable for comment upon publication of this report.

A local lawyer representing the journalist told SJS that the case has been heard twice, but no verdict has yet been issued.

In July last year, Somaliland declared a national emergency as drought affected four regions, including Sanaag, whose capital is Erigabo. President Abdirahman Abdillahi Irro made an urgent appeal to international donors and Somalilanders at home and abroad to support relief efforts aimed at saving lives and livelihoods.

According to an August 2025 report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 650,000 people were directly affected in Somaliland alone. Aid groups’ reports indicate that over 80% of rural households have been impacted by water shortages and agricultural losses in recent years.

Suute told SJS that he and other reporters visited numerous rural towns, witnessing the severe conditions firsthand, which he documented in his reporting.

SJS calls on the Somaliland authorities, particularly the Erigabo prosecutor, to stop targeting journalist Suute for reporting on and advocating for drought-affected communities. Authorities must respect journalists’ right to report on drought and climate-induced crises and ensure unhindered access to information to help save lives.

“The prosecution of journalist Mohamed Saleebaan Ahmed, known as Suute, for reporting on the devastating drought in Sool and Sanaag regions is both unjustified and deeply concerning. Journalists must not be punished for giving voice to voiceless communities in crisis,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“We call on the Sanaag Regional Prosecutor to immediately drop these unfounded charges and urge Somaliland authorities to guarantee all journalists the freedom to report on climate-induced crises without fear, interference, or restriction,” Mr. Mumin adds.

According to government officials and media executives briefed on the matter, the cabinet meeting discussed specific measures against several media stations and journalists deemed critical of the government — all of them based in Mogadishu. As a result, several media houses whose names were raised during that meeting have contacted SJS to report threats now emanating from senior officials.

The day after the cabinet meeting, on Friday, 3 April, the Deputy Minister of Information, Abdirahman Yusuf Omar — known as Al Adaala — published a threatening post on his Facebook page. The post titled “Warning and clarification” labelled unnamed journalists and media institutions “of being opposition politicians using the media as a cover” and warning the public to be vigilant. This public threat by a sitting deputy minister, who has a history of orchestrating attacks on independent media and individual journalists, constitutes a direct assault on press freedom. It is incompatible with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as Article 18 of the Federal Constitution of Somalia, which enshrines freedom of expression and of the press.

The threat sent shockwaves through newsrooms and journalist communities in Mogadishu. A local television director informed SJS that the post — published the day after the reported cabinet meeting — caused his staff to fear for their personal safety.

On 2 April, journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre — who reports for Somali Cable TV — was kidnapped by officers from the Somali Police Force and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and held in detention for seven days. His detention arose from a Facebook post in which he quoted South West State authorities stating: that “militias who had attacked the city of Baidoa had been defeated”. He was released on Wednesday, 8 April without charge. Colleagues told SJS that Abdihafid was forced to sign “an apology letter” before his release and was later made to post an apology on his Facebook page under the orders of Al Adaala.

Following the reported cabinet meeting, Somalia’s Minister of Justice, Hassan Sheikh Ali — who holds dual Somali-British nationality — summoned a group of journalists in Mogadishu for a meeting that was ostensibly convened to discuss the arrest of journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre. Three journalists present at the meeting told SJS that Minister Hassan Sheikh Ali warned journalists and members of the public — including tuk-tuk (bajaj) drivers — that they would be “crushed” if they continued to report criticism of the government.

In preceding weeks, Mogadishu had witnessed tuk-tuk drivers — the city’s primary taxi service providers — protesting against rising fuel prices, with several, including one woman, subsequently arrested by police. The Minister specifically warned journalists against conducting vox pop street interviews that present criticism of the government, the journalists who attended the meeting confirmed to SJS.

Such threats by a senior government minister against journalists and ordinary citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest violate the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association guaranteed under the Somali constitution and the UDHR.

An editor working with an online platform whose name was mentioned during the cabinet meeting told SJS that, since the threats were issued, his outlet had begun reducing the number of staff present in their offices at any given time — a direct consequence of the climate of fear created by government officials.

SJS has also learned that, on the night of 2 April — hours after the cabinet meeting concluded — photographs of two prominent journalists in Mogadishu were shared in a Mogadishu Police WhatsApp group, accompanied by instructions to arrest them. Furthermore, two members of the Somali National Intelligence Service made a death threat against one of the two journalists.

On 9 April 2026, police officers from the Hawlwadag District in Mogadishu fired live ammunition at four journalists who were covering an anti-forced evictions protest by a group of women and children at the Ceel Hindi neighbourhood in Hawlwadag District. None of the journalists were physically harmed, as they fled the scene.

SJS considers any threat against the journalist community — including death threats — to be gravely serious. We have advised journalists, editors, and media managers to remain vigilant, exercise caution, and be mindful of their security and safety. We wish to remind the Somali Prime Minister and his Cabinet that critical journalism is a constitutional right, and that journalists who give voice to communities whose rights have been violated are not enemies — they are heroes of this country.

Mogadishu has witnessed a number of street protests in recent weeks, primarily by community members demonstrating against forced evictions, land grabbing, and rising fuel prices. These are legitimate causes for public protest under Article 20 of the UDHR and Article 20 of the Federal Constitution of Somalia. The government must cease targeting journalists and community members who amplify these voices. Instead, it must listen and provide solutions to end forced evictions and reduce fuel prices.

“The Somali Cabinet of Ministers must understand that threatening journalists with arrest, kidnapping, and death is a criminal act. They must stop now. These are legitimate protests by community members standing against forced evictions, land grabbing, and unjust fuel prices. The government must stop targeting journalists and community members who are giving voice to their communities, and instead listen and find solutions,” said Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

“We praise the brave Somali journalists who, despite these threats, continue to stand firm in defence of basic human rights. I wish to reiterate once more: SJS stands with you, as we have always done,” Mr. Mumin added.

SJS urges the international community to closely monitor the situation facing Somali journalists and human rights defenders, including women activists who are subjected to ongoing and relentless threats. Silence in the face of these violations is complicity. The protection of journalists and press freedom is not only a domestic obligation under the Federal Constitution of Somalia, but an international obligation under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In a press conference early on Monday 6 April 2026, the police chief, Khadar Mohamed Farah, apologised to the detained journalist Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed for the use of chains on the leg of the journalist while held at the police station — a practice that constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment in breach of the Somalia Provisional Constitution and a violation of Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which prohibits “torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.

He announced that several police officers, including the commander of the Farxaskule police station in Las Anood — where the journalist had been detained — have been suspended from duty.

The Sool Regional Police Chief Khadar Mohamed Farah stated: “We hereby apologize to the people of the Northeastern region, and especially to him [the journalist], who is accused, whose image — showing him shackled at the leg — was shared on social media. As soon as the image appeared on social media, the police forces, led by the Police Commissioner and all other officers, immediately launched an investigation into how the image was released. At the orders of the Police Commissioner, prompt action was taken. The officers stationed at the Farxaskule police station [Las Anod] were suspended from duty and referred for investigation. The station commander, along with all personnel present at the scene, are currently under investigation.”

Abdiqani was arrested on 26 March after publishing an interview with former presidential adviser to the Northeastern State, Abdirisak Mohamed Warsame, who stated that “federal government officials are seeking to recruit forces from Las Anod to be sent to fight in Baidoa, Southwest State”. The former adviser was also arrested, police said on 26 March. On 28 March, the journalist was transferred to the Las Anod main prison, known as Goojacadde Prison, where he is currently held.

SJS notes the Las Anod police’s swift response to suspend the officers who chained the journalist and the investigation launched. However, SJS reiterates to the police and authorities in the Northeastern region that the journalist must be immediately and unconditionally freed without further delay, and that all charges and accusations regarding his journalism must be dropped.

“Journalist Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed did nothing wrong. He was arrested for conducting an interview with a local politician which is in the interest of the public. His continued detention constitutes a violation of the Somali Provisional Constitution and Article 9 of the UDHR, which prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and of Article 19 of the UDHR, which guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“We call on the authorities in Las Anod to immediately stop all charges against him, release him without any further delay, and cease all legal threats against him and his fellow journalists,” Mr. Mumin added.

On Thursday, 26 March, police officers in Laascaanood arrested Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed, who reports for Dhulmar Media, an online news channel covering the northeastern regions, following his publication of an interview with a former adviser to the Northeastern State leader, who warned that “the Somali Federal Government is pushing clan militias and forces in Laascaanood to be deployed to Southwest State” — where federal government forces and Southwest State authorities are mobilising against each other amid rising tensions over elections, risking internal conflict.

The official, Abdirisak Mohamed Warsame, stated that federal government officials are seeking to recruit forces from Laascaanood to be sent to fight in Baidabo, the seat of Southwest State. He added that the “federal government does not have the right to use local forces to engage in an internal conflict” in Southwest State. The former adviser was also arrested, police said on 26 March.

According to the journalist’s family, and corroborated by photos obtained by SJS, the journalist was initially held at the Laascaanood central police station with his legs chained.

On 28 March, without a lawyer and without the knowledge of his family, Abdiqani was transferred to the main prison known as Goojacadde Prison, on the outskirts of the city of Laascaanood.

A court letter issued by the First Instance Court of Sool Region, which SJS has seen, indicates that the Northeastern State attorney accused both journalist Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed and Abdirizak Mohamed Warsame of five charges, namely: Article 215 (Propaganda against the country); Article 219 (Destabilising the nation or the state); Article 220 (Defaming the reputation of state institutions); Article 231 (Inciting the public to commit crimes); and Article 328 (Publishing or spreading false information that disrupts public order). All are vague charges under the Somali Penal Code, often used by both the Somali Federal Government and its regional states against journalists and critics.

A local lawyer who spoke to SJS, however, indicated that the court letter lacks the legal proceedings required for a charge sheet, and that the letter — though signed by Sheikh Ali Aden Dalmar, Chairman of the First Instance Court of the Sool Region — failed to clarify the nature of the charges and how they were applied against both the journalist and the politician he interviewed.

Laascaanood police did not reply to SJS calls seeking clarification.

A member of Abdiqani’s family told SJS that his wife, who recently gave birth, has been forced to bring food to him, as prison officials said they cannot provide food to Abdiqani.

According to his family and a colleague who SJS interviewed, Abdiqani is complaining of leg pain due to a pre-existing condition.

SJS is concerned that the detention of Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed on false and politically motivated charges sends a deeply troubling message to journalists across Laascaanood as this will enable towards self-censorship of the local reporters, deterring sources and whistleblowers from speaking to the media. At a time when Somalia already struggles with press freedom, cases like this will further normalise the use of vague penal code provisions as weapons against critical reporting,  entrench a culture of impunity, erode editorial independence, and threaten to silence the independent voices that communities rely on to hold power to account.

“The arrest and continued detention of Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed in the Goojacadde prison in Laascaanood is a blatant attack on press freedom and an attempt to silence independent reporting in Laascaanood. The charges brought against him are false, legally baseless, and politically motivated. Abdiqani did nothing more than report a newsworthy interview in the public interest — that is not a crime,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“We call on the authorities in Laascaanood to immediately stop all charges against him, release him without any further delay, and cease all legal threats against him and his fellow journalists,” Mr. Mumin added.

On Tuesday, 31 March, a group of 20 journalists from local and regional media were blocked and denied access to the presidential palace, Baidoa, following the arrival of Aden Mohamed Nur, also known as Sheikh Aden Madobe, Speaker of the Somali Lower House of Parliament. Journalists told SJS that security guards attached to Speaker Madobe prevented them from entering the palace and covering ongoing meetings. This occurred a day after the South West State leadership, including President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, left the city for Nairobi, Kenya, as the city was taken over by federal forces and allied clan militias.

Journalists who initially went to Shaati Gaduud Airport in Baidoa said they were able to capture videos and photos of Speaker Aden Madobe’s arrival but were denied access to the palace by security guards without explanation, effectively blocking the media from obtaining information crucial for their reporting.

Journalists also reported worrying developments, including incidents of gunfire in the city and the alleged killings by gunmen in what some described as clan-related revenge. There were also reports of looting in certain areas of the city by militias, according to journalists and NGOs in Baidoa.

SJS interviewed two journalists who previously worked in Baidoa; they said they left the city due to fear of retaliation linked to their clan identity.

On Monday, 30 March, Baidoa fell to Somali federal government forces and allied clan militias after days of violent clashes on the city outskirts. Local NGO representatives told SJS that mass displacement occurred before and during the clashes, though some residents have begun returning. On 1 April, the Prime Minister of the Somali Federal Government, Hamsa Abdi Barre, issued a decree appointing his deputy, Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, as “Acting Leader” of the South West State.

On Thursday, 2 April, media reported a brief gunfight erupted at the Baidoa municipal office, where a clan militia and its commander reportedly captured the facility, prompting another group of militias to attack. Journalists nearby told SJS that several people were killed and injured, causing fear in the local community.

On the morning of Friday, 3 April, a group of 10 journalists were again denied access to Shaati Gaduud Airport, where clan elders from the Digil and Mirifle clans were arriving. Two journalists affected told SJS that, upon arrival at the airport entrance, heavily armed officers from the Gaashaan Force—a unit now attached to Somali National Intelligence and the Office of the President—threatened them at gunpoint and instructed them to leave. “No journalist is allowed to enter the airport,” one reporter told SJS.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was also reported to have arrived in Baidoa on Friday.

SJS calls on Somali government forces and allied militias in Baidoa, South West State, to allow journalists to report independently on developments in the city—including political and security matters—following the recent change in administration, and to immediately cease threats and denial of access that target independent journalists, many of whom work for local media, as they strive to keep the public informed about events in the region.

“We express deep concern over these incidents. We call for all actors involved in the political and security developments in Baidoa to ensure unhindered access for journalists and the media community,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“Journalists often risk their lives to keep the public informed, and it is unacceptable that their work continues to be obstructed and their access denied, especially during events of significant public interest,” added Mr. Mumin.

At approximately 8:49 pm local time on Wednesday, 2 April, armed police officers, accompanied by personnel from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), using an unmarked SUV, abducted journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre while he was at a restaurant on Maka Al-Mukarama Road, eyewitnesses told SJS. A police source later informed SJS that the unmarked vehicle initially drove to Waberi Police Station, where the officers switched to another police vehicle, which then proceeded north of Mogadishu. SJS later learned that the journalist was held overnight in cells at Yaaqshid Police Station. An eyewitness who saw the incident told SJS that a police officer slapped and punched Abdihafid during the abduction.

Eyewitnesses and a police source confirmed that the abduction was carried out by an officer identified as Abdi Ali, the commander of police checkpoints in Mogadishu. Abdi Ali has previously been implicated in similar attacks on journalists and media outlets.

On Thursday morning, without notifying his family and without legal representation, the journalist was briefly arraigned before the Banadir Regional Court before being transferred to Mogadishu Central Prison.

When SJS sought information, the police spokesperson, Captain Abdifatah Adan, declined to comment on the incident.

A colleague told SJS that Abdihafid’s phone was accessed by the police, and that a call was made to colleagues warning them to remain silent about his abduction.

On 30 March, Abdihafid published a Facebook post quoting South West State authorities, stating: “The militias that launched the attack on the city of Baidoa, who were wronged by Hassan Sheikh, have been defeated. Many prisoners are now in the custody of the South West State government, and operations to pursue the remaining fighters are still ongoing.”

On Monday, 30 March, Somali government forces and allied militias entered the city of Baidoa, the seat of Southwest State, following violent clashes on the outskirts of the town. The fighting forced the Southwest State president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed ‘Laftagareen’ to flee to Nairobi, and the city fell to federal government and allied forces.

At the time of writing, no charges have been brought against the journalist, who remains detained at Mogadishu Central Prison.

This is the second case in which Abdihafid has been a victim of unlawful detention and physical assault. On 24 February 2026, he was kidnapped by armed officers from the Somali National Army and held at a military academy in Mogadishu for 24 hours before being released. His detention followed his reporting on the dismissal of Turkish-trained officers over a pay dispute.

“The abduction, physical assault, and unlawful detention of journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre is a grave violation of press freedom and fundamental human rights. The reported beating during his arrest, the confiscation of his phone, and the breach of his private communications are deeply alarming and completely unacceptable. These actions reflect a disturbing pattern of abuse against journalists in Mogadishu who face wave of intimidation and threats due to their reporting,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdihafid, and urge the authorities to hold those responsible—particularly the officers involved—fully accountable. Journalists must be allowed to work freely without fear of violence, intimidation, or retaliation,” added Mr. Mumin.

From January to December 2025, SJS documented 148 cases of media freedom violations during the year, marking a significant rise compared to 31 cases in 2024 and 25 in 2023. Out of these, 148 journalists were arrested or arbitrarily detained. Mogadishu recorded the highest number, with 118 cases of violations, mainly carried out by the police followed by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).

In Somaliland, 36 journalists were detained, particularly in regions such as Erigabo, Sanaag, and Awdal, where inter-clan tensions were high. At least five cases involved kidnappings.

In Mogadishu, the police chief Mahdi Omar Mumin (Moalim Mahdi) and district police commanders are repeatedly implicated in orchestrating, ordering, and, in some cases, directly carrying out unlawful arrests, detentions, and the confiscation of journalists’ equipment.

Nearly 90% of those arrested were never brought before a court and were released without charge after spending hours or days in detention. Additionally, over 10% of the violations affected women journalists, highlighting a concerning gender dimension to the abuses.

Despite these trends, both Somalia and Somaliland constitutions guarantee freedom of expression and media independence, including the right to speak, publish, and access information, with limitations only under the law.

However, the data clearly shows that police forces were the primary perpetrators, responsible for approximately 91.2% of all recorded violations in 2025.

The pattern of violations indicates that authorities in both Somalia and Somaliland are primarily motivated by efforts to control narratives around insecurity, avoid public embarrassment, and conceal security weaknesses amid Al-Shabaab’s terror attacks. Journalists were also targeted to limit debate on politically sensitive issues, including constitutional changes and contested election model and policies in Mogadishu.

Furthermore, these actions appear aimed at discouraging public mobilization, particularly around protests and social issues, while also concealing human rights abuses and misconduct by authorities or allied actors. In many cases, the violations serve to intimidate the media and enforce self-censorship across the sector.

In response, SJS calls for an immediate end to arbitrary arrests, physical assaults, equipment confiscation, and forced deletion of journalistic material. The organization also urges that police officers and security personnel be held accountable for violations against journalists, including targeted attacks on women journalists.

SJS further recommends urgent human rights training for police and other security forces in both Somalia and Somaliland to ensure respect for constitutional rights and press freedom.

Finally, SJS expresses serious concern over the lack of judicial independence in both Somalia and Somaliland. Judges and court officials are often political appointees, which undermines their ability to uphold constitutional rights and contributes to a climate of impunity for violations against journalists.

“Both Somalia and Somaliland are at a critical juncture where media freedom and open reporting are vital to keeping the public informed. However, we are deeply concerned that if these attacks continue with impunity, they will lead to widespread self-censorship, leaving journalists and local media unable to report on what is happening. We are already witnessing journalists leaving the country out of fear,” said SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin.

“We call for an immediate end to these attacks and full accountability for all officers involved,” Mr. Mumin added.

On Thursday, 26 March, police officers in Laascaanood arrested Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed, who reports for Dhulmar Media, an online news channel covering the northeastern regions. Local journalists told SJS that his arrest followed the publication of an interview with a former adviser to the northeastern state leader, who warned that “the Somali Federal Government is pushing clan militias and forces in Laascaanood to be deployed to Southwest State”, where federal government forces and Southwest State authorities are mobilising against each other amid rising tensions over elections, risking internal conflict.

The official, Abdirisak Mohamed Warsame, stated that federal government officials are seeking to recruit forces from Laascaanood to be sent to fight in Baydhabo, the seat of Southwest State. He added that the “federal government does not have the right to use local forces to engage in an internal conflict” in Southwest State.

Laascaanood police said on Thursday that they had also arrested Mr. Warsame, accusing him of “fabrication, insults, and defamation against the armed forces.”

When SJS contacted the police in Laascaanood regarding the journalist’s arrest, they referred to a Facebook post announcing the arrest of Mr. Warsame and referencing his interview.

The northeastern state is a newly established administration heavily backed by the Federal Government of Somalia in Mogadishu. Officials and journalists in Laascaanood told SJS that Mr. Warsame, who had been an adviser and a close relative of the regional leader, Abdulkadir Ahmed Awl-Ali, had resigned from his position earlier following an internal dispute with the regional president.

SJS condemns the unlawful arrest of Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

“The arrest of journalists for conducting an interview which is actually doing their job is a blatant act of repression. We condemn this intimidation in the strongest terms and demand the immediate and unconditional release of Abdiqani Abdirahman Mohamed,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“Laascaanood authorities must end their campaign against independent media and uphold fundamental freedoms,” adds Mr. Mumin.

Families in Ceel Jaalle village say their livelihoods once depended on farming, which now yields very little due to prolonged drought and shifting weather patterns. Their livestock has also been affected, while ongoing insecurity has further disrupted civilian life.

Journalist Aweys Mumin Hassan, one of the reporters who benefited from SJS training in climate change reporting, filed this report from Lower Shabelle. Watch on YouTube Here

As displacement toward border towns like Dhobley and Liboye increases, some families remain behind, holding on despite the lack of aid. Since December, their survival has largely depended on water deliveries funded by NGOs and local business people in Kismayo.

In this report, our colleague photojournalist Abdullahi Hussein Kilas, who was trained under SJS climate change reporting propgram, was able to document the crisis through a series of photos captured in villages west of Kismayo and on Kooyama Island.

READ the story on Kaab TV website HERE