SJS submits a bribery solicitation complaint against Hirshabelle State officials to IACC

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October 28, 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 28 October 2021 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has submitted an official complaint against bribe soliciting by Hirshabelle State officials to the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (IACC) of the Federal Government of Somalia and awaits IACC to launch a full and independent investigation into the case.

Bribery and corruption are damaging to democratic institutions and hampers Somalia’s state-building. IACC which is the national anti-corruption body has an important role to play in combating these practices.

SJS legal adviser, Avv. Abdirahman H. Omar said the complaint was prompted by last week’s incident in Jowhar, Hirshabelle State, where police and government officials demanded bribes from SJS officials conducting journalists’ training activity in Jowhar city. After repudiating the officials’ solicitation of bribery, SJS officials were arbitrarily detained.

“Somalia is on recovery and so its federal member states. Corruption will shatter the anticipations of the people towards the state formation. It exhausts local and international efforts that tend to aid the rebuilding of our country,” Avv. Omar said. “Exposing corrupt activities and risks that may otherwise remain hidden, and keeping the public sector honest, transparent and accountable is a key legal and moral obligation,” Avv. Omar said.

“We also encourage other organisations to come forward and report the fraudulent behavior they have witnessed. We must be faultless so say that concealing corruption and bribery solicitation by officials will make the governance system rotten and dysfunctional. Simply, if you report corrupt government officials and hold them accountable, you are helping Somalia governance system. You are not destroying it,” Avv. Omar adds.

“Somali Federal Constitution, the Hirshabelle Constitution as well as the Independent Anti-Corruption Act provide citizens to report corruption practices within the public officials and seek accountability. SJS is a national union of journalists which maintains its zero-tolerance policy for bribery and corrupt activities. That is why we are taking our citizenry legal obligations to tackle corruption behavior,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We hope that IACC authorities and top Hirshabelle State leadership will act swiftly and take legal measures towards our complaint, investigate the allegations in our letter addressed to them and tackle corruption under their watch.”

Marking 14^th August as the National Anti-Corruption Day, Somalia formally joined the international and regional laws of anti-corruption namely: the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), the Arab Anti-Corruption Convention (AACC) as well as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). This has been a milestone for Somalia’s anti-graft efforts.

SJS further calls on all government agencies and the international community members to assist the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission in the realisation of fulfilling its national mandate to end graft in the Horn of African nation.

As stipulated in Article 13 of the UNCAC, we urge active role of civil society organisations and media in combating corruption is to call on Somali Federal Government and its Federal Member States to increase transparency, improve public access to information and to promote public contributions to the government decision-making process.

Journalists arrested in Lasanod and Mogadishu

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October 26, 2021

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Holhol Media journalist, journalist Abdifatah Mohamed Abdi (left) and Radio Hiigsi director, Hussein Ahmed Tifow (right). | PHOTO/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 26 October, 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the arbitrary detention of journalists in Lasanod and Mogadishu, and calls Hirshabelle authorities to unconditionally lift the ban on local TV journalist in Jowhar.

On Sunday 24 October, Somaliland police in Lasanod arrested journalist Abdifatah Mohamed Abdi, who reports for Holhol Media, an online news media, following his coverage on a press conference by a group of the local clan elders who spoke against the women quota in their clan seat for the forthcoming elections of the Lower House of the Somali Federal Parliament.

According to colleagues and family members, Abdifatah was taken to Lasanod police station where he was held until Tuesday 26 October. The journalist’s mother, Asha Hussein told SJS that her son was transferred to Mandhera prison near Hargeisa alongside clan elders who gave the press conference on Sunday.

“I am concerned about Abdifatah’s situation. There have been recurring police threats against him,” the mother added.

Sool regional police commissioner, Ahmed Abdullahi failed to respond to SJS calls and messages seeking response on Abdifatah’s situation.

On Wednesday 20 October, four police officers from Mogadishu’s Shibis police station raided Radio Hiigsi studio, harassed journalists on duty and detained its director Hussein Ahmed Tifow. According to Tifow, the officers claimed that they were waiting for “payment” from the owner of the building where the radio station locates but after failing to locate the owner, they entered the radio station. Tifow was held at the police station for three hours while his phones were confiscated. He was freed without charge. Radio Hiigsi is a privately-owned independent radio whose editor, Mohamed Abdiwahab Nur (Abuuja), has been held incommunicado and tortured for five months by the National Intelligence officers in 2020 when he was released by the military court.

Shibis police commissioner said he was not aware about the raid on Radio Hiigsi and the arrest of its director.

Meanwhile, Dalsan TV reporter, Mohamed Yasin in Jowhar has been unable to conduct his journalistic work since 18 September when he covered the scuffle at the Hirshabelle Parliament Hall that resulted the postponement of Upper House election in Jowhar. Officials at the Hirshabelle presidency had informed the journalist that his TV was banned from Jowhar.

“We condemn the arbitrary arrests against Abdifatah Mohamed Abdi of Holhol media and Hussein Ahmed Tifow of Radio Hiigsi. We call Somaliland authorities to immediately and unconditionally free journalist Abdifatah Mohamed Abdi and allow him to carry out his journalism without fear of reprisal,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said.

“We call Hirshabelle authorities to lift the ban on journalist Mohamed Yasin, stop harassing him and allow him to independently report from the Hirshabelle State Parliament,” Mr. Mumin adds.

SJS concludes journalists safety training in Jowhar

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October 24, 2021

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Journalists pose for a group photo following the conclusion of a three-day safety training in Jowhar on Friday, 22 October, 2021. Activity is supported by Canada Fund. | PHOTO/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 24 October 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) concluded a three-day journalists’ safety and media freedom training in Jowhar town, Hirshabelle State on Friday 22 October, benefitting over 20 journalists and editors from local media houses.

The training activity is part of an ongoing series of journalists’ trainings supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). So far, over 60 Somali journalists were trained in three different locations across the country.

In his opening remarks on Wednesday, Captain Adan Yarow, the Middle Shabelle police commander, praised SJS role in advocating for journalists’ safety and freedom amid ongoing parliamentary elections. He suggested SJS to initiate a mechanism of cooperation between the police and the media.

Police Commissioner, Capt. Adan Yarow speaks during the opening of a three-day journalists safety training in Jowhar, Hirshabelle on Wednesday 20 October, 2021. The activity is supported by Canada Fund. | PHOTO/SJS.

“Many of the police officers do not have understanding about press freedom and human rights. Journalists are watchdogs of the government but some officials do not like media oversight role,” Captain Yarow said, “Hirshabelle is conducting elections. Safety of journalists reporting the polling is of great importance. We thank SJS for coming to help local journalists. The police are ready to work with you to improve safety of journalists in Jowhar.”

Journalist and founder of City Radio and TV which is a minority-community media station, Abdishakur Abdullahi Ahmed (popularly known as Shaasha) had acknowledged the significance of the safety training describing as timely one. City radio was raided and its equipment confiscated by Hirshabelle police resulting journalists to flee Jowhar in December 2019.

Abdishakur Abdullahi Ahmed (left), the director of City Media, which is a minority rights media station, speaks at the three-day journalists' safety training in Jowhar, Hirshabelle State, on Wednesday, 20 October, 2021. The activity is supported by Canada Fund. | PHOTO/SJS. — Abdishakur Abdullahi Ahmed (left), the director of City Media, which is a minority rights media station, speaks at the three-day journalists’ safety training in Jowhar, Hirshabelle State, on Wednesday, 20 October, 2021. The activity is supported by Canada Fund. | PHOTO/SJS.

“Many of the local journalists from marginalised community do not get access to training opportunities. SJS has become the first organisation that dares to accommodate minority journalists even there are many pressures and threats. We are grateful to Canada Fund for the generous support. This opportunity has indeed touched our hearts. We now know that we are part of the diverse people in Jowhar,” he said.

In the beginning of the training SJS insisted the inclusion of the minority journalists into the training activity despite many pressures. Female journalists, who did not have previous training opportunities were also invited.

“I am a long-term serving female reporter in Jowhar. This is one of the few trainings I got. Thanks to the commitment of SJS leadership to ensure that female journalists are given adequate seats in the trainings. I shall share the lessons we have learnt here with my other colleagues,” Hamdi Mohamud Mohamed who reports for the local Radio Jowhar and Horn Cable TV.

Hamdi Mohamud Mohamed speaks at the conclusion of a three-day journalists training in Jowhar, Hirshabelle State on Friday, 22 October, 2021. The activity is supported by Canada Fund. | PHOTO/SJS.

In his conclusion remarks on Friday, SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin congratulated the successful completion of the training. He noted that the objective of the training was to improve capacity of the journalists both freelancers and those working for local outlets.

“I am indeed glad for the successful completion of our training. I commend the high representation of journalists from minority communities. We chose to empower them because we believe the rich diverse of Somali journalists can contribute to the good of the nation,” Mr. Mumin added.

SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin speaks at the conclusion of a three-day journalists training in Jowhar, Hirshabelle State, on Friday, 22 October 2021. The activity is supported by Canada Fund. | PHOTO/SJS.

“While in Jowhar, I have witnessed first hand of the injustices, economic marginalisation and political exclusion of minority communities in the region at the hands of authorities. This has been the norm for many years. I call civil society groups to help empowering minority people in Jowhar. Training them and given the skills they require is one of ways to empower marginalised communities.” Secretary General Mumin said.

Secretary General Mumin condemned the threats and intimidation by police officers against SJS team in Jowhar during the training. SJS officials including Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin and Training Secretary, Hanad Ali Guled were harassed, interrogated and arrested by the police on the second day of the training. The order of the arrest was given by the Minister of Interior, Mohamed Ali Adle after SJS refused and criticised government officials who demanded payment of bribery.

“This are the actions of corrupt authoritarian states. We know that NGOs here have been forced to pay bribes to government officials, but SJS will not accept these demands. We shall indeed use our good channels in the government and will utilize the rule of law, in order to defend our constitutional right to freedom of expression,” Mr. Mumin added “We call other organisations and civil society groups to follow suit and mitigate against corruption by denying to pay bribes to government officials even if they are powerful ones.”

ALERT: Union officials arrested and taken to unknown location in Jowhar, Hirshabelle state of Somalia

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October 21, 2021

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Mogadishu, Somalia 21 October 2021, Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns in the strongest terms possible the arrest of its Secretary General Abdalle Ahmed Mumin and Its Secretary of training Hanad Ali Guled by Hirshabelle police on Thursday morning, the latest in a string of violence against the union officials and its members since yesterday.

Uniformed Police raided and arrested both officials at a hotel in Jowhar on Thrusday morning around 10:00am, where they were conducting training on enhancing media freedom and safety of journalists with the generous support from Canadian government through Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives.

Both Mumin and Guled are currently held in an unknown location.

Around 11:37 Thursday morning, armed police and again raided the hotel where the training was being conducted and arrested Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, Information and Human Rights Secretary while busy conducting the training for 25 journalsts in the town of Jowhar.

Bulbul was released after he was threatened that “should he write anything on his facebook, they will come for him”.

SJS condemns the arrest and calls for their immediate release.

More updates to follow

Galmudug police frees three journalists arbitrarily detained for covering armed conflict in the region

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October 5, 2021

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three journalists: Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow in Dhusamareb, Mohamed Abdukadir Said in Galkayo and Hashim Omar Hassan in Adado after they were arbitrarily detained. — Three journalists: Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow in Dhusamareb, Mohamed Abdukadir Said in Galkayo and Hashim Omar Hassan in Adado were freed after they were arbitrarily detained. |PHOTO/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 05 October 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) welcome the freedom of three journalists: Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow in Dhusamareb, Mohamed Abdukadir Said in Galkayo and Hashim Omar Hassan in Adado after they were arbitrarily detained.

On Monday 4 October, Galmudug police officers in Adado town detained Radio Adado and Five TV freelancer, Hashim Omar Hassan following his report on Sunday that covered a meeting by members of the Sufi followers who supported the renewed resurgence of the Ahlusuna militia in Galmudug. He was held at the Adado police station. According to Sharma’arke Suley, the director of Radio Adado, the journalist was freed hours later after his director agreed to bring him back once the police summons him. There are no charges brought against him.

On Sunday 3 October, Galmudug police in Dhusamareb freed freelance journalist, Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow after he was held on 28 September. According to Tohow, he was released without charge but was told to return once police summons him. “I was repeatedly beaten in the police detention. The officers had forcibly shaved my head,” he said.

On Sunday 3 October, Galmudug police in Galkayo briefly detained freelancer journalist, Mohamed Abduqadir Said, who reports for the privately-owned local Radio Hayan and was among a group of local journalists recently trained by SJS with the support of Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. According to Mohamed, his arrest came after Galkayo South (Galmudug) police chief, Qasim Sheikhdon called the journalist over the phone and ordered him to report to the police station where Mohamed was detained upon reaching. His detention came after he covered a group of Sufi followers who announced their support for the resurgence of the Ahlusuna militia group in Galmudug. Mohamed was freed later that day without charge but was instructed not to report issues regarding Ahlusuna militia in the region.

SJS and SOMA are gravely concerned by the Galmudug police’s increased pressure on journalists and media houses covering the renewed conflict in the region. Police officers in Dhusamareb, Adado and Galkayo are intimidating, detaining, and threatening journalists covering the armed clashes between Galmudug security forces backed by the Federal Government forces against the Ahlusuna militia group which have been ongoing since late September.

“Galmudug security forces should stop intimidating, detaining, and threatening journalists who are covering the armed clashes between its security forces and the Ahlusuna militia group. Journalists should be allowed to report independently,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said. “The role of the journalists is to report what both sides of the conflict are doing. These threats, intimidations and detentions against journalists are only intended to silence the media and prevent from the public to understand what is happening in Galmudug.”

“We condemn the recurrent arbitrary detentions against journalists in Galmudug. We call police officials to stop intimidating local journalists because of how they are reporting the conflict in the region. Authorities in Galmudug and its security forces should know that the armed conflict in Galmudug cannot be an excuse to constrain media freedom,” Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said.

Somaliland police detains a journalist covering forceful evictions in Lasanod, threatens others

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October 4, 2021

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Halbeed Media reporter, Mowlid Ismail Diged was detained in Lasanod while covering Somaliland police forceful evictions on Saturday 2 September 2021. | PHOTO/Courtesy/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 03 October 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) condemns the arbitrary detention of journalist Mowlid Ismail Diged on Saturday while covering forceful evictions by Somaliland forces in Lasanod.

On Saturday 2 September, Somaliland police officers detained Mowlid who reports for the Facebook news page Halbeeg Media and held at the Lasanod police station before he was freed later in that day without charge. The journalist was taking photos as police conducted forceful evictions of non-locals targeting ethnic southern Somali persons living in Lasanod city. The operation saw hundreds including women, children and elderly persons forcibly evicted from their homes and businesses in Lasanod, a city controlled by Somaliland and transferred to Puntland.

“The police beat, punched and kicked me. The confiscated my equipment. I was held the Lasanod police station until 3.00pm in the afternoon. There were others held in my cell which was very filthy,” Mowlid said who confirmed that his equipment was returned upon his release.

SJS and SOMA are concerned the ongoing harassment and threats against local journalists in Lasanod by the police. Journalists told SJS and SOMA that they received threats from Sool regional police commissioner Col. Ahmed Abdillahi Abdi after covering police operation targeting ethnic southern Somali persons in Lasanod.

“We condemn the arbitrary detention of journalist Mowlid Ismail Diged in Lasanod on Saturday. While Mowlid is now free, he and other colleagues continue to face threats and intimidation by the police in Lasanod,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said. “Journalists have told us that they cannot report the human rights violations committed by Somaliland police officers in Lasanod including ethnic profiling and forceful evictions of a large population from Lasanod because of their ethnicity. We call Somaliland authorities and those in Lasanod to allow journalists carry out their work independently, investigate those responsible for arresting and threatening journalists and hold them accountable.”

“We strongly condemn the Somaliland police actions targeting journalist Mowlid Ismail Diged and other colleagues who have been threatened by the police. Human rights violations committed by Somaliland police including arresting, beating and threatening journalists should not go unpunished,” Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said. “Local media in Lasanod and their journalists are vital voice for the defenceless civilians whose rights are being violated. They should be also protected.”

Dhusamareb police arbitrary detains a journalist while police in Garowe summons freelance reporter

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September 30, 2021

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Chained journalist Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow (left) is held at Dhusamareb police station while freelance reporter, Mohamed Salah (right) was summoned by police in Garowe. |PHOTO/COMBINED/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 30 September 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call on Galmudug authorities to immediately and unconditionally free freelance journalist, Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow who is held at Dhusamareb police station since Tuesday night 28 September, while we call Puntland authorities to stop its harassment through police summoning against journalist Mohamed Salah in Garowe.

Dhusamareb police officers detained journalist, Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow following his 15 September reporting that revealed the Dhusamareb police commissioner who had surrendered a machine-gun mounted vehicle and weapons to Ahlusuna militia resulting the commissioner’s suspension on 16 September.

Journalist Tohow was detained on his way to home when armed police officers stopped his taxi and arrested him on Tuesday night. “He is currently held at the Dhusamareb police station with his legs chained,” local journalists who visited Tohow said.

On Wednesday 29 September, SJS and SOMA reached out to Galmudug’s Minister of Information and protested against Tohow’s arbitrary detention. The Minister, Ahmed Shire Falagle, however, promised that he was making efforts to free the journalist.

Chained journalist Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow is held at Dhusamareb police station. | PHOTO CREDIT/Private.

On Thursday morning 30 September, journalist Tohow was taken to Dhusamareb District Court, where two court assistants and the Dhusamareb police commissioner, Major Mohamed Hassan Sanjeh, who reportedly ordered Tohow’s arrest, were in attendance. According to family and journalists’ sources, there were no judges in the court and Tohow does not have a lawyer to represent him.

Meanwhile, SJS and SOMA condemn the Garowe police’s summoning and the subsequent interrogations against freelance journalist, Mohamed Salah on Wednesday 29 September in Garowe. According to journalist Salah, police officers from Nugal Criminal Investigations Department (CID) summoned him and later interrogated him at the Garowe police station for three hours. “They enquired me about my reporting. I told them that I am a journalist doing my work to inform the public. They said they have cases against me and that they would re-summon me,” Salah added saying that he was not arrested.

Salah’s summoning came after he reported the death of a female university graduate who was shot dead by the security guards of Puntland president, Said Abdullahi Deni in Garowe on Monday night.

“The Dhusamareb police commissioner and his officers are holding journalist Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow illegally and we demand his immediate and unconditional freedom. We call Galmudug authorities to investigate this arbitrary detention of Tohow as we demand that police to stop illegitimately using force to harass him,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of SJS said “We also call Puntland authorities to stop using unlawful summons to harass journalist Mohamed Salah. No journalist should be arrested or threatened for reporting what is happening in his/her region.”

“We condemn journalist Mohamed Abdiweli Tohow’s arbitrary detention in Galmudug as well as the police summoning against journalist Mohamed Salah in Puntland. These are meant only to deter the independent journalism reporting on the wrongdoings of the local authorities,” Mohamed Osman Makaran, the Secretary General of SOMA said.

Maalinta Caalamiga ee Helista Xogta: SJS & SOMA waxay ku baaqayaan in warbaahinta iyo suxufiyiinta loo oggolaado xaqa helitaanka xogta

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September 28, 2021

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Maalinta Caalamiga ee Helista Xogta: SJS & SOMA waxay ku baaqayaan in warbaahinta iyo suxufiyiinta loo oggolaado xaqa helitaanka xogta. — Maalinta Caalamiga ee Helista Xogta 2021: SJS & SOMA waxay ku baaqayaan in warbaahinta iyo suxufiyiinta loo oggolaado xaqa helitaanka xogta.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya 28 Sebtember 2021 – Iyadoo maanta loo dabbaaldegayo Maalinta Caalamiga ah ee Helitaanka Xogta (IDUAI), ayaa Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) iyo Dalladda Warbaahinta Soomaaliyeed (SOMA) waxay ku baaqayaan in suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed iyo warbaahinta loo oggolaado xaqa helitaanka xogta iyo inay ogaadaan, ayna soo tebiyaan macluumaadka muhiimka ah si madax-bannaan oo aan xaddidaad lahayn.

Maanta, munaasabadda Maalinta Caalamiga ah ee Helitaanka Xogta waxaa laga xusayaa adduunka oo dhan halka warfidiyeenka iyo xarumaha warbaahineed ee Soomaaliya ay wajahayaan halis aad u daran. Helitaanka macluumaadka ayaa muhiim u ah awood u siinta muwaadiniinta inay adeegsadaan codkooda, inay si hufan ula socdaan oo ula xisaabtamaan dowladdooda. Markay warbaahinta iyo suxufiyiintu awoodaan inay helaan oo soo sheegaan wararka danta guud, waxay ka caawin doontaa muwaadiniinta inay go’aan ka gaaraan arrimaha saameeynaya noloshooda. Si kastaba ha ahaatee, mas’uuliyiinta federaalka Soomaaliya iyo kuwa dowlad -goboleedyadeeda ayaa sii wada inay xaddidaan shaqada suxufiyiinta iyo warbaahinta si ay xog u helaan, iyagoo xira una hanjaba weriyayaasha dalka oo dhan.

25kii Sebtembar, Booliska Soomaaliya iyo saraakiil ka tirsan Hay’adda Sirdoonka iyo Nabadsugidda Qaranka (NISA) ayaa hor istaagay suxufiyiin tebinayay qarax baabuur oo ismiidaamin ah oo ka dhacay bar-koontarool oo ciidamada ammaanku ku leeyihiin isgoyska Ceel-Gaabta, Muqdisho. Sida ay sheegeen suxufiyiinta ay arrintan saameeysay, ciidamada ammaanka ayaa jidgooyo dhigtay meel u dhow goobta uu qaraxa ka dhacay waxayna u diideen weriyayaasha inay muuqaallo ka duubtaan goobta uu qaraxu ka dhacay.

24kii Sebtembar, maamulka Jubbaland ayaa demiyey shabakadaha isgaarsiinta maxalliga ah ee Kismaayo kaddib markii bam lagu dhaawacay masuul urur dhallinyaro oo dowladda gacansaar la leh iyo wiilkiisa. Shirkadaha bixiya adeegga isgaarsiinta mobeelka iyo bixiyeyaasha adeegga internetka ayaa lagu qasbay inay demiyaan shabakaddooda galabnimadii Khamiista 23ka Sebteembar illaa subaxnimadii Jimcaha 24ka Sebtember taasoo wiiqaysa badqabka iyo inay suxufiyiinta helaan macluumaadka ay u baahan yihiin.

18kii Sebtembar, Guddoomiyaha Baarlamaanka Dowlad Goboleedka Hirshabeelle, Cabdixakiim Luqmaan Maxamed ayaa si cad ugu amray ciidamada ammaanka inay “ddmiyaan tebinta tooska ah ee telefishannada” intii lagu guda jiray doorashada Aqalka Sare ee Baarlamaanka Federaalka ee magaalada Jowhar. Ammarka Guddoomiyaha, oo aan la dhaqan gelin, ayaa yimid kaddib rabshad ka dhacday gudaha baarlamaanka oo sababtay in la hakiyo codeyntii dhacday maalintaasi 18 -kii September.

15kii Sebtembar, saraakiil ka tirsan milateriga Soomaaliya oo ay la socdeen rag maleeshiyo ah oo ku sugnaa deegaanka Abbay Dhaxan ee duleedka Muqdisho, ayaa weeraray, oo garaacay laba weriye oo ka tirsan Goobjoog Media Group – Maxamed Axmed Rooraaye iyo Sharma’arke Cabdinuur Wehliye – oo loo xilsaaray inay soo tebiyaan aaska dadkii ku dhintay qarax ismiidaamin ah oo ka dhacay Muqdisho maalin ka hor. Saraakiisha iyo ragga dableyda ah oo aan la aqoonsan ayaa joojiyay gaari ay weriyayaasha iyo dad kale ku safrayeen, waxayna si gaar ah u bar-tilmaameedsadeen suxufiyiinta iyagoo weerar gacan ah ula tagay, garaacay uguna hanjabay inay dili doonaan.

SJS iyo SOMA waxay xusuusinayaan mas’uuliyiinta heer federaal iyo heer gobolba inay garwaaqsadaan in hor istaagga xaqa saxafiyiinta inay helaan macluumaad, la weeraro, xannibaadda tebinta warbaahinta iyo in la xiro isgaarsiinta inay tahay xadgudub ka dhan ah xuquuqda aadanaha.

“Waxaa lama huraan ah in mas’uuliyiinta Soomaaliya ay fahmaan oo ay ixtiraamaan xuquuqda war -helidda, xorriyatul -qawlka iyo xorriyadda saxaafadda oo ah xuquuq dastuuri ah iyo waliba xuquuq caalami ah. Xuquuqdan waa in aan lagu xadgudbin,” ayuu yiri Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS. “Xuska Maalinta Caalamiga ee Helista Xogta darteed, waxaan cambaareyneynaa dhacdooyinkan ugu danbeeyay oo ah kuwa tilmaamaya sida helitaanka warka iyo macluumaadka ugu adkaaday suxufiyiinta xilli ay socoto doorashada baarlamaanka ee dalka.”

“Annagoo u dabbaaldegeynna Maalinta Caalamiga ah ee Helitaanka Xogta, waxaan fursaddan uga faa’iideysanayaa inaan xasuusiyo dowladda federaalka iyo dowladaha xubnaha ka ah federaalka inay mas’uul ka yihiin inay ilaaliyaan warbaahinta iyo xirfadlayaasheeda iyagoo kuwa xadgudubyada saxaafadda geynaya maxkamadaha,” Maxamed Cismaan Makaraan, Xoghayaha Guud ee SOMA ayaa yiri. “Warbaahinta iyo suxufiyiinta waa in aan loo beegsan in ay shacabka wargeliyaan. Dhaqankan isla xisaabtan la’aanta waa inuu joogsadaa.”

On IDUAI 2021, SJS and SOMA call for media, journalists’ access to information amid increased pressure against media freedom

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September 28, 2021

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On IDUAI 2021, SJS and SOMA call for media, journalists' access to information amid increased pressure against media freedom.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 28 September 2021 – On International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), today the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) call on the right of access to information for journalists, the right to know and report independently and without restrictions.

Today IDUAI is celebrated around the world while journalists and media stations in Somalia are facing extreme threats. Access to information is critical for enabling citizens to exercise their voice, to effectively monitor and hold their government to account. When media and journalists are able to receive and report about public interest information, it will help citizens decide about issues that affect their lives. However, the Somali federal authorities and its regional states continue to restrict journalists and media access to information, detain and threaten reporters across the country.

On 25 September, Somali Police and officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) blocked journalists covering a suicide car bombing at a security checkpoint at El-Gabta junction, Mogadishu. According to the affected journalists, security forces mounted a roadblock near the blast scene and refused journalists to film the blast site.

On 24 September, Jubbaland switched off local telecommunication networks in Kismayo after a bomb injured a government-allied youth leader and his son. The mobile telecom companies and internet service providers were forced to switch off their networks from Thursday afternoon 23 September – Friday morning 24 September undermining safety and media access to information.

On 18 September, Hirshabelle State Parliament Speaker, Abdihakim Luqman Mohamed had publicly ordered security forces to “switch off live TV coverage” during the Federal Parliament’s Upper House elections in Jowhar. The Speaker’s announcement, which was not implemented, came following a brawl inside the parliament that led to the suspension of the 18 September voting.

On 15 September, Somali military officers accompanied by local militia men in Abbay Dhahan area on the outskirts of Mogadishu, attacked and beaten two Goobjoog Media Group journalists – Mohamed Ahmed Roraye and Sharma’arke Abdinur Wehliye – who were on assignment to cover the burial of victims killed in a suicide explosion in Mogadishu the day before. The officers and the unidentified gunmen stopped a vehicle in which journalists and others were travelling and singled out the journalists before attacking, beating and threatened to kill them.

SJS and SOMA remind authorities at both federal and regional states level to realise that denying journalists’ access to information, attacking them, blockage of media coverage and shutting down telecommunications is a human rights violation.

“It is essential that Somali authorities to understand and respect the right to information, freedom of expression and press freedom as a constitutional right and also a universal right. These rights must not be violated,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said. “On the commemoration of IDUAI, we condemn these latest incidents which indicate how access to information had become hard for journalists amid the parliamentary elections in the country.”

“As we celebrate the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), I take this opportunity to remind the federal government and the federal member states that they have responsibility to protect the media and its professionals by bringing those who commit press violations to courts,” Mohamed Makaraan, the Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said. “Media and journalists should not be targeted for only informing the public. This culture of impunity must stop.”

SJS concludes a three-day human rights journalism training in Kismayo

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Admin

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September 23, 2021

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Participants pose for a group photo at he conclusion of a three-day SJS human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS. — Participants pose for a group photo at the conclusion of a three-day SJS human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 23 September 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) today concluded a three-day human rights journalism training in the city of Kismayo, Jubbaland State of Somalia, benefitting journalists from across local media houses and freelancers.

The training, which kicked off on Tuesday, equipped 25 journalists — nine of them female— with skills essential to collaboratively monitor, investigate, document and report human rights violations. The training, which now becomes the third one held by SJS across Somalia, is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Through this initiative, SJS plans to train and mentor up to 150 journalists across Somalia over the next few months.

At the conclusion of the three-day training sessions, SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, expressed his appreciation for the high participation of the trainees and their willingness to be part of SJS human rights journalists network. He further appealed to journalists and editors of media houses to prioritise human rights coverage in their coverage and to use the skills learned during the three-day training.

Participants and trainers make a pledge to stand for human rights during the conclusion of a three-day SJS human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS. — Participants and trainers make a pledge to stand for human rights during *the conclusion of a three-day SJS human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS.*

“I want to appreciate the high participation made by both female and male journalists. Indeed, this training has come to a long process of planning and we are glad that it has become one of the most successful initiatives,” SJS Secretary General Abdalle Ahmed Mumin said “Our goal is to improve reporting of human rights situation in the country. As trainees, now you have a great responsibility in monitoring, documenting, analysing and reporting human rights violations.”

Mr. Mumin further encouraged trainees to continue to seek their advice and also announced that SJS trainers will be able to offer mentorship support to all trainees so that they can produce quality reports.

“I would like to thank the National Endowment for Democracy for the generous support to conduct this initiative. Without the Endowment support, we would not have been able to reach all these journalists from across the country,” Mr. Mumin adds.

Radio Soyal reporter, Hibo Mohamed Adan attends the last session of training of a three-day human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS. — Radio Soyal reporter, Hibo Mohamed Adan attends the last session of training *of a three-day SJS human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS.*

Radio Soyal reporter, Hibo Mohamed Adan said she had gained new skills that she needed as a woman reporter which include to identifying women’s rights enshrined in the Somali Constitution and how to advocate for victims of human rights violations.

“I have learnt the importance of maintaining the confidentiality with regard to the information about victims of human rights abuses. I have also learnt new skills about interview techniques,” Hibo added. “I can now do my own investigation as a human rights reporter. Thanks to SJS and the Endowment for providing the training opportunity. I shall be an active human rights defender. God willing,” Hibo added.

Kiin Hassan Fakad, a freelance human rights reporter speaks at the conclusion of a three-day human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS. — Kiin Hassan Fakad, a freelance human rights reporter speaks at the conclusion of a three-day SJS human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS.

Like Hibo, Kiin Hassan Fakad, a freelance human rights reporter said the training was the first one she ever attended. “The training changed my perspective about human rights reporting and it made me join into a new world. there are key issues I used to underestimate as a human rights issue. But now I will have a new focus on these topics such as issues affecting internally displaced people,” Kiin adds.

Media coverage usually downplayed the existence of minority groups. Although the population of minority groups in Somalia has not yet been determined, estimates indicate that they make up one third of the total population and they continue to live in conditions of extreme poverty and suffer from many forms of violence, discrimination and exclusion.

Radio Jubba journalist, Hussein Ali Ibrahim (first left) speaks at the conclusion of a three-day human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS. — Radio Jubba journalist, Hussein Ali Ibrahim (first left) *speaks at the conclusion of a three-day SJS human rights journalism training in Kismayo, Thursday 23 September 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/SJS.*

Radio Jubba journalist, Hussein Ali Ibrahim believes that skills he gained from the training will enable him to advocate for the minority communities who are considered inferior and without full rights.

“The fact that we could not do more reporting on minority rights was due to lack of understanding about these communities. In my radio station, now we have the skills and hopefully we shall do more to look into many factors that result exclusion of minority rights such as cultural values that segregate minority communities from dominant clan societies,’ Hussein added “I appreciate SJS team for their efforts to train and educate us.”

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Maalinta Caalamiga ee Helista Xogta: SJS & SOMA waxay ku baaqayaan in warbaahinta iyo suxufiyiinta loo oggolaado xaqa helitaanka xogta

On IDUAI 2021, SJS and SOMA call for media, journalists’ access to information amid increased pressure against media freedom

SJS concludes a three-day human rights journalism training in Kismayo

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