Saddex sano kaddib, askarigii dilay weriye Cabdirisaaq Qaasim Iiman weli caddaaladda lama horkeenin

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July 26, 2021

Sahra Ismaaciil oo ah weriye Cabdirisaaq Qaasim hooyadiis oo heysa sawirka wiilkeeda xilli ay u warramaysay SJS. | Sawirka waxaa leh SJS.

Muqdisho, Soomaaliya, 26 Luulyo 2021 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu ugu baaqayaa Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya iyo dowlad gobolleedka Galmudug inay soo xiraan, caddaaladdana horkeenaan askirigii dilay weriye Cabdirisaaq Qaasim Iimaan oo ahaa sawirqaade u shaqeynayay telefishinka SBS oo lagu toogtay Muqdisho, 26 Luulyo, 2018.

Cabdirisaaq, oo xilligaa ahaa 19 sano jir, ayaa ka soo laabanayey xarunta jaamacadda SIMAD halkaas oo uu ka soo duubay xaflad qalinjebin ahayd. Intii uu waddada ku sii socday ayaa askari boolis ah joojiyay mooto bajaaj uu saarnaa, kaddibna toogtay. Cabdirisaaq ayaa u geeriyooday xabad ka haleeshay madaxa.

Bishii Novembar, 2018, maxkamadda militariga ayaa qaadday kiiska dhamme boolis Cabdullaahi Nuur Axmed (Carabey) oo ku eedeysnaa dilka weriye Cabdirisaaq, waxayna ku heshey isagoo maqan inuu galay denbiga dilka ah. Maxkamadda ayaa ku xukuntay askarigan shan sano oo xarig ah iyo 100 neef geel ah, sida ku cad dukumintiga maxkamadda oo ay SJS aragtay. Saddex sano kaddib illaa maanta, dilka weriye Cabdirisaaq weli xal lagama gaarin, askarigii dilayna weli lama soo qaban, iyadoo ilo ka tirsan dowladda ay sheegayaan in uu askarigaasi weli mushahar ka qaato dowladda.

(Bidix) Qaasim Iimaan iyo (midig) Sahra Ismaaciil oo ah aabaha iyo hooyada weriyaha la dilay Cabdirisaaq, oo u warramay SJS. | Sawirka/SJS.

Sida uu sheegay Qaasim Iimaan, oo ah aabaha weriye Cabdirisaaq, warqad soo qabasho ah oo cusub ayaa maxkamaddu soo saartay bishii Abril ee sanadkan, balse weli lama dhaqangelin, taasoo welwelkii iyo caddaalad darradii haysay qoyska weriye Cabdirisaaq uun sii kordhisay.

“Waxaan la xanuunsanayaa geerida wiilkeyga Cabdirisaaq. Wuxuu ahaa qofka keliya ee qoyska u shaqeeya. Waddankaan caddaalad kama jirto. Dilaaga waa la yaqaanaa, laakiin dowladdu ma rabto inay soo qabato,” ayuu yiri Aabe Qaasim oo la hadlay SJS.

Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu xusuusinayaa madaxda Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya iyo kuwa maamul gobolleedka Galmudug mas’uuliyaddooda ku aaddan dhammeynta caddaalad darrida hareysay kiiska dilka marxuum Cabdirisaaq ayna xaqiijiyaan in qofna aanu la baxsan denbi ah dil weriye.

“Waa wax laga xumaado in qoyska marxuum weriye sawirqaade Cabdirisaaq Qaasim Iimaan oo raadinayay caddaalad saddexdii sano ee la soo dhaafay, in aanay weli caddaalad helin xitaa iyagoo heysta xukun maxkamadeed, iyadoo sababtu tahay tabardarri iyo rabitaan la’aan ka jirta hay’adaha dowladda,” sidaa waxaa yiri Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, xoghayaha guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) isagoo xasuusiyay madaxa dowlad goboleedka Galmudug iyo kuwa dowladda federaalka ah inay lagama maarmaan tahay in qoyska Cabdirisaaq Qaasim u baahan yihiin inay caddaalad buuxda helaan si xal loogu helo kiiska dilka ee muddada dheer taagan, loona xaqiijiyo in askarigan dilaaga ah uusan si xor ah isaga socon.

Bishii Sebtember ee sannadkii la soo dhaafay ayaa xeer ilaaliyaha guud ee Soomaaliya ku dhawaaqay xeer ilaaliye gaar ah kaas oo aan magaciisa la aqoon, oo loo xilsaaray denbiyada ka dhanka ah suxufiyiinta si uu u baaro dilalkii loo geystay suxufiyiinta, taasoo ah midda ugu sareysa guud ahaan dalalka Afrika.

Afartii sano ee la soo dhaafay gudahood, 12 suxufi ayaa lagu dilay Soomaaliya: saddex waxaa la dilay 2017; afar waxaa la dilay 2018; labo waxaa la dilay 2019; labo waxaa la dilay 2020, halka mid kalana la dilay 2021, taasoo ka dhigaysaa waddanka mid ka mid ah goobaha ugu khatarsan caalamka ee suxufi ka shaqeeyo. Nasiib darro, Soomaaliya waxa ay weli ugu horreysaa liiska waddamada ugu horreeya ee ay ka jiraan denbiyada aan la isu ciqaabin ee ka dhanka ah suxufiyiinta la dilo.

“Dowladda Soomaaliya iyo dowlad goboleedyada waxay weli ka meer-meerayaan inay sameeyaan baaritaanno buuxa oo ka dhan ah kiisaska dilalka suxufiyiinta iyo shaqaalaha warbaahinta. Tani kaliya ma muujineyso heerka ay mareyso isla xisaabtan la’aanta ka jirta Soomaaliya, balse waxay caddeyn u tahay halista ay wajahayaan suxufiyiinta Soomaaliya ka shaqeeya,” Xoghaye Mumin ayaa intaas warkiisa ku daray.

Unresolved: Three years on, police officer who killed cameraman Abdirizak Qasim Iman is not yet apprehended

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July 26, 2021

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Sahra, mother of Abdirizak holds a mobile phone with the photo of her deceased son Abdirizak during an interview with SJS. — Sahra Ismail Ali, mother of Abdirizak holds a mobile phone with the photo of her deceased son Abdirizak during an interview with SJS. | Photo Credit/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 26 July 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls for Somali federal authorities and those in Galmudug State to arrest the police officer who shot dead SBS TV cameraman, Abdirizak Qasim Iman in Mogadishu on 26 July, 2018.

Abdirizak, then 19-year-old, was returning from a normal assignment at the SIMAD University in Mogadishu, after covering the graduation event there. On the way to his home a police officer stopped Abdirizak’s bajaj, a three-wheeled auto rickshaw taxi and then shot him on the head resulting Abdirizak’s demise.

In November 2018, the Somali military court tried Police Captain Abdullahi Nur Ahmed (Arabey) in absentia and found him guilty of murdering Abdirizak, sentencing him to five years in prison and a fine of 100 camels, according to court documents seen by SJS.

Today, three years later, Abdirizak’s murder remains unresolved as the killer police officer is yet to be apprehended while, according to government sources, he continues to be on government payroll.

According to Qasim Iman, the victim’s father, a new warrant of arrest issued in April 2021 has not been implemented adding more pain to the agony of the deceased’s family.

“We are agonised by the death of my son, Abdirizak. He was the breadwinner of the family. There is no justice in this country. The killer is known but they [government] don’t want to arrest him,” Qasim told SJS.

(Left) Qasim Iman, father of Abdirizak and (right) Sahra Ismail Ali, mother speak during an interview with SJS. | Photo Credit/SJS.

SJS reminds state authorities in Mogadishu and in Galmudug of their responsibilities to end the impunity that has thrived over Abdirizak’s murder and ensure no person gets away with any journalist’s murder.

“It is sad that the family of cameraman Abdirizak Qasim who was pursuing justice for the past three years, they cannot still find justice even with a court ruling due to weak government system and the authorities’ lack of will to arrest the perpetrator,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “State officials in Galmudug and those in Mogadishu should know that they owe it to Abdirizak’s family and colleagues to get a full justice to resolve this long-standing case of murder, and to ensure that this killer police officer should not roam freely and with total impunity.”

In September last year, Somalia’s Attorney-General has announced a little-known about appointment of “a special prosecutor” for crimes against journalists and promised to open investigations of journalists killed in the country, which remains to be the highest in Africa. SJS investigations show that no single prosecution related to journalists’ murderers took place since the appointment of this special prosecutor.

Over the past four years, 12 journalists were killed in Somalia: three in 2017; four in 2018; two in 2019, two in 2020 and one in 2021, making the country one of the most dangerous places for journalists across the globe. For the sixth year in a row, the country has maintained the ignominious world title for impunity towards killed journalists.

“Authorities in Somalia—whether in the federal level or in the regional states—are reluctant to carry out credible, proper and independent thorough investigations into the cases of killings or attacks on journalists and media outlets. This does not only show the level of impunity that exists in Somalia but also it is a grave reminder of the dangers facing media professionals,” Mr. Mumin adds.

Police and NISA detain and harass journalists in Mogadishu, Gedo, Hirshabelle and Las’Anod

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July 6, 2021

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Somali police officers on duty. | Photo/File.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 06 July 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) vehemently condemns the recent arrests of journalists in Mogadishu (Banadir), Beledhawo (Gedo), Beledweyne (Hiiraan) and Las’Anod (Sool) by police and NISA officers amid violations of the law repeatedly against the work of independent journalists in Somalia, as we call on the authorities in Dolow district of Gedo region to release detained journalist Mohamud Mohamed Sheikh.

On Thursday, 1 July, armed police raided Bandhiga Radio in Hamar Jajab district of Mogadishu and detained five people in the radio: three journalists and two interns. While the interns were immediately released, the three journalists: Ibrahim Abshir Hassan, Ilyas Daud and Ibrahim Sheikh Hussein were held at the Hamar Jajab police station until later in the evening. Upon their release, they told SJS that the police officer who raided their radio were looking for the radio management following the landlord’s complaints about a dispute related to the tenant’s agreement. Although they were all acquitted without charge, it was not clear why the three journalists were detained and taken to the police station. The radio station remains shut since then.

On Saturday, 3 July, officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Beledhawo, Gedo region arrested journalist Mohamud Mohamed Sheikh, who reports for Star Media Network, a radio and television station based in Nairobi, Kenya. According to two family members interviewed by SJS, officers informed Mohamud that he had been arrested on the orders of Beledhawo District Commissioner, Abdifatah Arog and NISA Commander in Gedo, Bakal Koke.

Star Media Network journalist, Mohamud Mohamed Sheikh (Lafagari). | PHOTO SJS/ Courtesy Mohamud Lafagari.

On the afternoon of Sunday, 4 July, Mohamud was secretly transferred to another prison in Dolow district, on the Somali-Ethiopian border. His family contacted government officials in the area and were informed that Mohamud had been arrested for criticising the Somali Federal government’s administration in Gedo, according to his brother Ahmed Mohamed Sheikh interviewed by SJS. While Mohamud remained in custody and his phone confiscated, family members noticed that his Facebook page was active with a new post at midnight of 6 July. The post, which has been reviewed by SJS, states how Mohamud was arrested in Beledhawo and transferred to Dolow and that “he had been on hunger strike”. Police and officials in Beledhawo and Dolow declined to comment when contacted by SJS.

RTN television reporter, Hussein Abdi Jimale. (PHOTO SJS/Courtesy Hussein Abdi Jimale) — RTN television reporter, Hussein Abdi Jimale. | PHOTO SJS/Courtesy Hussein Abdi Jimale.

On Sunday, 4 July, Hirshabelle police briefly detained RTN television reporter, Hussein Abdi Jimale, in Beledweyne and held him in a police cell for four hours following his interview with local youth members who opposed the leadership of the State of Hirshabelle. According to Hussein and two other colleagues interviewed by SJS, the officers acted on the orders of Governor of Hiiraan, Ali Osman Jeyte. Hussein has been released without charge on the same day but told SJS that threats and intimidation against him continues after his release.

Freelance journalist Barkhad Mohamed Bashe. (PHOTO/Courtesy/ Barkhad Mohamed Bashe). — Freelance journalist Barkhad Mohamed Bashe. | PHOTO SJS/Courtesy Barkhad Mohamed Bashe).

On Monday 5 July, Somaliland police officers in Las’Anod detained freelance journalist Barkhad Mohamed Bashe after covering a protest by a local women group who complained that their sons were arrested by the police in Las’Anod and transferred to Borame prison for wearing the Somali flag outfit, while celebrating the 26th June which marks Somaliland’s Independence Day. Barkhad and another journalist who visited him in police custody told SJS that he was released on Tuesday 6 July on the condition of not reporting any news critical to Somaliland. He was not charged.

“We condemn these recent arrests against journalists in Gedo, Hiiraan, Sool and Banadir regions. We call on the authorities in Dolow district of Gedo region to immediately and unconditionally free journalist Mohamud Mohamed Sheikh (Lafagari) and stop intimidating him for reporting events in the region, including alleged abuses committed by NISA and other security personnel,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said.

“While the country heads to an election period, it is unfortunate that attacks, arrests and threats against journalists and independent media personnel become unbearable. We remind both national and regional state officials of their responsibilities to permit the work of the independent press. Officers who commit violations against the constitutionally-granted freedoms including the freedom of the press and expression must be held to account,” Mumin adds.

Warfidiyeenka oo heli waayey xogta ku saabsan dedaalka dowladda ee ku wajahan Covid19 iyo tallaalka Soomaaliya

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July 3, 2021

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Weriyayaal kasoo waramaya munaasabad ka dhacday Muqdisho bishii Maarso, 2021. | Sawirka/SJS.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya, 03 Luulyo 2021 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu ka walaacsan yahay xayiraadda ka dhanka ah helitaanka xogta ay u baahan yihiin suxufiyiinta ee ku wajahan dedaalka heer federaal iyo heer gobol ee ku aaddan cudurka Covid19 iyo tallaalka, taasoo ku xadgudbeysa waajibaadyada ay soo rogayaan dastuurka dalka iyo shuruucda xuquuqda aadanaha ee caalamiga ah ee ku aaddan helitaanka macluumaadka iyo caafimaadka bulshada ee lagu doonayo in kor loogu qaado wacyigelinta bulshada si loo badbaadiyo nolosha dadweynaha.

SJS waxay xusaysaa muhiimada ay leedahay maamullada dowladda dhexe iyo tan dowlad gobolleedyada inay u ogolaadaan warbaahinta xorta ah ee madaxa-bannaan inay la socoto, kana warranto jawaabaha qaran iyo kuwa caalamiga ah ee laga bixinayo faafitaanka cudurka si sare loogu qaado daahfurnaanta iyo isla xisaabtanka.

Tifatirayaal warbaahinta gudaha, wariyeyaal, soo saareyaal iyo qorayaasha xogta madaxa bannaan oo ay wareysatay SJS ayaa shaaca ka qaaday sida masuuliyiinta Wasaaradda Caafimaadka ee dowladda federaalka ah ay uga dhigeen xogta caafimaadka dadweynaha mid sir ah si ay u qariyaan dhaleeceynta ka dhanka ah go’aan qaadashadooda liidatay ee dedaalka lagu xadeynayo cudurka Covid19, ama si loo qariyo eedeymaha musuqmaasuqa ee loo soo jeediyay.

“Aad ayey u adkeyd in la helo macluumaadka sida jawaabta dowladda ee cudurka Covid19. Maaddaama waddanku uu galay mowjaddii labaad ee musiibada Coronavirus, waxaan isku daynay in ka badan 20 jeer in aan la hadalno mas’uuliyiinta Wasaaradda Caafimaadka ee heer federaal. Waxaan sidoo kale la xiriirnay Wasiirka Caafimaadka dhowr jeer laakiin dhammaan codsiyadeenii ku saabsanaa inaan helno wareysiyo waa naloo diiday,” sidaa waxaa SJS u sheegaytifaftiraha wararka Goobjoog, Hanad Guuleed, “Intii ay nooga jawaabi lahaayeen su’aalaheena, masuuliyiinta caafimaadka waxay noo tilmaameen inaan xogta ka qaadanno baraha bulshada ay ku leeyihiin. ”

Bilowgii faafitaanka cudurka Covid19, mas’uuliyiinta dowladda Soomaaliyeed waxay si ula kac ah u bartilmaameedsadeen suxufiyiinta ka soo waramayey faafitaanka Covid19. Intii u dhaxeysay bilihii Abriil ilaa Juun 2020, saddex weriye ayaa lagu xiray Muqdisho iyo Kismaayo, ugu yaraanna mid ayaa loo dhaadhiciyey xabsiga, laguna qaaday xukun dacwad ciqaabeed iyadoo sababtu ahayd ka waramidda Covid19. Somaliland ayaa digniin u dirtay warfidiyeenka soo tebiya Covid19 ee aanay marka hore xaqiijin ka helin dowladda, in loo aqoonsan doono “dambiilayaal qaran”.

Warbixinnadu waxay muujinayaan in wacyiga bulshada ee ku saabsan Covid19 uu hooseeyay taasoo sababtay in dadweynuhu ka laba-labeeyo qaadashada tallaalka looga hortagayo cudurka Covid19. Xogta tallaalka ee qarsoodiga ah oo ay SJS aragtay ayaa muujineysa in ka yar 1% bulshada Soomaaliyeed ay qaateen tallaalka Covid19 halka bartilmaameedku uu ahaa 20% oo ka mid ah 15 milyan ee dadweynaha. Tani waxaa loo aaneyn karaa la’aanta xog sax ah oo bulshada loo soo bandhigay iyo xaddid-naanta ama aan jiritaan la’aanta wacyigelin ku filan bulshada oo ay dowladdu bixisay, tiiyoo ay dheer tahay in suxufiyiinta aysan helin macluumaad sugan oo ay u baahnaayeen inay dadweynaha u tebiyaan.

“Idaacadda Risaala ayaa safka hore uga jirtay sidii loo xakameyn lahaa aafada Covid19. Laga bilaabo bishii Maarso 2020, waxaan baahin jirnay barnaamij todobaadle ah iyo bille ah oo loogu tala galay in aan dadweynaha ka caawinno in ay fahmaan caabuqa Corona waqtiga saxda ah, sikastaba ha noqotee, waa nala xanibay oo waa naloo diiday in aan helno macluumaadkii aan u baahneyn,” Xasan Cabdi oo soo saare sare iyo maamule ku xigeenka ka ah Warbaahinta Risaala ayaa u sheegay SJS “Waxay u egtahay saraakiisha Wasaaradda Caafimaadku inay wax qarinayaan. Kaliya dhakhaatiirta isbitaalada gaarka loo leeyahay ayaa nala hadli jiray oo xog nasiin jiray.”

Xaaladdaas oo kale waxay qabsatay weriye qoraa iyo falanqeeye xogta ah oo u sheegay SJS bishii Juun ee sannadkan, in isagoo doonayey inuu xaqiijiyo xog uu soo ururiyey uu la xiriiray saraakiisha Isbitaalka Martini— oo ahaa isbitaalka ugu weyn ee loo adeegsan jiray xakameynta iyo daaweynta bukaannada Covid19— hase ahaatee maamulka isbitaalka, oo ku dhaqmay amarro ka yimid dhanka Wasaaradda Caafimaadka, uu diiday inuu bixiyo wax macluumaad ah.

“Waxaan rumeysanahay in dad badan la badbaadin lahaa haddii macluumaad ku habboon oo sax ah loo bandhigo dadweynaha. Nasiib darrose, taasi ma dhicin markii ay saraakiisha caafimaadku si ula kac ah u qariyeen macluumaadkan si ay uga badbaadaan cambaareynta kaga imaaneysay dadweynaha ee ku saabsanayd dadaallada gaabiska ah ee Wasaaradda Caafimaadka,” ayuu yiri weriyahaasi.

Cudurkan safmarka ee Covid19 ma’aha oo kaliya inuu caqabado waa weyn u horseeday nidaamka daryeelka caafimaadka ee Soomaaliya oo markii horeba liitay, laakiin sidoo kale wuxuu sii kordhiyay faafida wararka xanta, been abuurka iyo wararka khaldan ee ku saabsan cudurka. Sida uu sheegay Yuusuf Cabdi Shire, oo ah tifaftiraha sare ee TV-ga RTN, haddii dadku aysan helin macluumaadka saxda ah, “markaa waxay samayn doonaan fasiraad iyaga u gaar ah oo sidoo kale abuuri karta warar xan ah oo been ah.”

“Markii talaalku bilaabmay waxaa jiray su’aalo badan iyo xog aan suggeyn oo si xawli ah ku faafay, welina way socotaa. Waxaan isku daynay inaan kala hadalno saraakiisha Wasaarada Caafimaadka oo uu ka mid yahay Wasiirka si aan wax uga ogaanno tallaalka. Waxay noo sheegeen inaysan nala hadli karin. Xogta tallaalka ama dhimashada Covid19 ayaa ah sir aan cidina heli karin,” ayuu Yusuf u sheegay SJS, “Waxaan qabaa in macluumaadka saxda ah uu gacan ka geysan lahaa xallinta dhibaatada, la dagaallanka wararka beenta ah, isla markaana gacan ka geysan lahaa in tallaalku gaaro dadweynaha, laakiin dowladda ayaa si taa ka duwan u dhaqantay.”

Suxufiyiinta ku sugan Jubbaland iyo Hirshabeelle, oo ah labada ka mid ah goobaha uu aadka u aafeeyay Covid19 ee Soomaaliya, ayaa u sheegay SJS in daahfurnaan la’aanta macluumaadka caafimaadka ay horseedday qaadashada dadweynaha ee tallaalka oo hooseeysa. Dabayaaqadii Juun 2021, labada dowlad-goboleedba waxay isticmaaleen in ka yar 50% tirada guud ee goojooyinka tallaalka AstraZeneca (25,000 goojo oo loogu talagalay Hirshabeelle) iyo (30,000 goojo oo loogu talagalay Jubbaland) oo loo qaybiyay, sida ku cad xogta ay aragtay SJS.

“Macluumaadka waqtiyeysan ee caddaynta ku saleysan ayaa ah tallaalka ugu fiican ee kahortaga wararka beenta ah iyo wararka khaldan. Nasiib darrose, mas’uuliyiinta ayaa wali ka cagajiidaya inay ka hadlaan tirada dhimashada. Wacyigu dadweynaha aad ayuu u hooseeyaa. Mas’uuliyiinta Wasaaradda Caafimaadka kama jawaabaan su’aalaha aan ka weydiinno Covid19,” ayuu yiri tifaftiraha raadiye maxalliga ah oo ku yaalla Beledweyne.

Iyadoo la tixgelinayo dhacdooyinka, SJS waxay ku celcelineysaa inay lama huraan tahay dowladda dhexe iyo maamul goboleedyaduba inay bixiyaan xog sax ah oo ku saabsan halista Covid19. Sida ku cad Dastuurka Federaalka ee Ku-meelgaarka ah iyo sharciga caalamiga ah ee xuquuqda aadanaha, waxaa ku waajibaya Dowladda inay bixiso macluumaad lagu kalsoonaan karo oo ay wada heli karaan dadka oo dhan, iyadoo si gaar ah diiradda la saarayayo in macluumaadka uu wada gaaro dhammaan dadweynaha, iyadoo ay ku jiraan kuwa aan heli karin internet-ka ama kuwa baahiyaha gaarka qaba ee u baahan in macluumaadka u gaaro sida ku habboon ee ay ku fahmi karaan.

“Xuquuqda helitaanka macluumaadka suxufiyiinta ayaa muhiim u ah xaqiijinta wacyiga bulshada iyo kalsoonida, la dagaalanka war-xumo tashiilka ka dhanka ah cudurka iyo tallaalka iyo hubinta isla xisaabtan inuu jiro. Xogta saxda ah waxay gacan ka geysan kartaa badbaadinta nolosha,” ayuu yiri Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, oo ah Xoghayaha Guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS), “Waxaan ugu baaqeynaa wasaaradaha caafimaadka ee heer gobol iyo heer federaal inay aqoonsadaan doorka warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan oo ah inay la socdaan, ayna baaraan saraakiisha dowladda ee ku saabsan sida loo meelmarinayo siyaasadaha guud ee looga gol leeyahay in lagu xalliyo dhibaatada caafimaafka. Aad ayey muhiim u tahay in xuquuqda helitaanka macluumaadka la illaaliyo inta lagu jiro xaaladaha deg-degga ah sida ugu macquulsan.”

Journalists found it difficult to access information about government’s response to Covid19 and vaccines in Somalia

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July 3, 2021

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Journalists gather to cover a public event in Mogadishu in March 2021. | Photo/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 03 July 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is concerned about the denial of journalists’ access to information by the health authorities at federal and state level violating national and international law’s obligations on access to information and public health and derailing efforts to raise public awareness to save lives and giving opportunity to disinformation and fake news to flourish.

SJS notes importance of federal and state authorities to allow free and independent media to monitor national and international responses to the outbreak and promote transparency and accountability.

Local media editors, reporters and producers and independent data journalists interviewed by SJS revealed how the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) enforced secrecy to limit criticism of poor decision-making or hide corruption allegations as the pandemic took hold in all corners of the country.

“It has been extremely difficult to access information including government’s response to Covid19 outbreak. As the country was hit the second wave of the pandemic, we tried more than 20 times to speak to officials at the Federal Ministry of Health. We also reached out to the Minister of Health several times but all our requests for interviews were declined,” Hanad Guled, Goobjoog Media’s news editor told SJS, “Instead of responding to our questions, Health officials referred to their social media accounts for quotes.”

From the onset of the outbreak, Somali authorities deliberately targeted journalists covering Covid19. Between April to June 2020, three journalists were detained and at least one was jailed and prosecuted over Covid19 related coverage in Mogadishu and Kismayo. Somaliland has warned journalists who report Covid cases without further having confirmation from the authorities will be labelled as ‘national criminals’.

Reports show that public awareness on Covid19 was low and had resulted to high vaccine hesitance among the public. A confidential vaccine data seen by SJS shows less than 1% of the population vaccinated while the target was 20% of the 15 million population in Somalia. This can be attributed to the lack of accurate information released to the public and limited or no public awareness by the government, while journalists did not have access to trustworthy information needed to report and to counter disinformation.

“Risaala Radio was on the forefront to contain the pandemic. Starting from March 2020, we broadcasted weekly and monthly program intended to help the people understand the virus through timely information and stop disinformation about the pandemic. However, we were blocked and denied to get the information we needed,” Hassan Abdi, senior producer and deputy management of Risaala Media Corporation told SJS “It was like the officials at the Ministry of Health were hiding something. Only doctors from private hospitals were able to speak to us.”

Similar experiences were described by a local data reporter who told SJS in June this year that when he contacted officials at Martini Hospital— the main hospital used to quarantine and treat Covid patients— to corroborate his figures with those of the official records, hospital authorities, who acted on instructions from the Health Ministry, refused to provide information.

“I believe more lives could have been saved if a timely and accurate information was made available to the public. Unfortunately, this did not happen as the health officials deliberately kept this lifesaving information to secret just to avoid public criticism on their slow efforts,” the data journalist who requested anonymity due to safety concerns added, “It was hard to detect fake news and disinformation about the pandemic that spread throughout the public circles.”

Covid19 pandemic has not only caused significant challenges for the already weak healthcare system in Somalia, but also it has fuelled in the proliferation of rumours, hoaxes and misinformation. As stated by Yusuf Abdi Shire, a senior editor of RTN TV, if people don’t get the accurate information, “then they will make their own interpretation that will also give rise to rumours.”

“When the vaccine roll-out begun there were many questions and rumours spreading fast and it is still going on. We tried to speak to Ministry of Health officials including the minister about the vaccine awareness. I got a response that they cannot talk to us. Details about the vaccine or Covid deaths remain as a secret that nobody can access,” Yusuf told SJS, “I think correct information could have helped solve the crisis, fight rumours and help vaccines reach to the public but the government acted differently.”

Journalists in Jubbaland and Hirshabelle, two of Somalia’s Covid19 hotspots, told SJS that lack of transparency in the health information led to low vaccine uptake. As of late June 2021, both regional states used less than 50% of AstraZeneca vaccine doses (25,000 doses for Hirshabelle) and (30,000 doses for Jubbaland) distributed to them, according to data seen by SJS.

“Timely and evidence-based information are the best vaccine against rumours and misinformation. Unfortunately, authorities are still reluctant to speak about the number of deaths. The awareness is very low. Officials at the health ministry don’t answer our questions about Covid,” said a local radio editor based in Beledweyne.

Taking note of this, SJS reiterates that it is essential for both federal and regional authorities to provide truthful information about the nature of the threat posed by the pandemic. Under the Provisional Federal Constitution and international human rights law, the government is obliged to provide reliable information in accessible formats to all, with particular focus on ensuring access to information by those with limited internet access or where disability makes access challenging.

“The right to access to information for journalists is crucial for ensuring public awareness and trust, fighting fake news and disinformation, ensuring accountability. Accurate information can help save lives,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, “We call for the regional and federal ministries of health to recognise the role of independent media to monitor and scrutinise public officials about the way they implement public policies aimed at solving the crisis. It is crucial that the right to information is maintained during the emergency as much as possible.”

SJS condemns overnight attack and knife injury on its training secretary, calls for prompt investigations

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June 24, 2021

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Hanad Ali Guled, SJS Secretary of Trainings attacked by unidentified people in Mogadishu on Wednesday 23 June, 2020. | Photo/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 24 June 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the beating and knife injury against Hanad Ali Guled, SJS Secretary of Training and executive committee member, who also doubles as news editor for Goobjoog Media Group, by unidentified people in Mogadishu’s Wadajir district on Wednesday and calls for prompt investigations.

Around 11:00pm local time, four unidentified men ambushed Mr. Guled, on his way to home from work. They severely beat him before hitting their knives twice on the upper arm and the back neck causing severe bleeding. He was rushed to the hospital. Attackers fled the scene immediately.

“The attack and beating against our Secretary of Trainings amounts to an attack on all our members and we condemn in the strongest terms possible,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We are particularly concerned amid ongoing threats on our union officials and staff. We hope for a speedy recovery of our colleague.”

“We call for police and criminal investigations department to immediately launch investigations and arrest the perpetrators,” Mr. Mumin adds.

On 4 May 2020, Kalsan TV journalist Said Yusuf Ali was stabbed to death near his home in Mogadishu. The case remains unsolved as of today. SJS hopes Somali police to fully investigate and expose those behind this attack.

SJS continues to be a fervent champion of press freedom and the rights of journalists in Somalia. As part of the SJS commitment to promote high standards in journalism, we strengthen journalists’ professional competence and ethical standards. Our mission is to monitor and investigate all cases of press freedom violations objectively and independently and those who are trying to silence us will not win.

Journalist detained in Galmudug, others threatened and intimidated in Mogadishu and South West

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June 14, 2021

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Journalists cover protest by the parents of missing Somali soldiers in Eritrea on Thursday 10 Jun 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/ SJS. — Journalists cover protest by the parents of missing Somali soldiers in Eritrea. Protest took place in Mogadishu's K4 intersection on Thursday 10 June 2021. | PHOTO CREDIT/ SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 14 June 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the arbitrary detention, threats and obstruction of access to information by members of the police and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) against journalists in Galmudug, Mogadishu and South West, the latest in series of repressive measures against freedom of the press.

On Friday 11 June, officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) accompanied by police officers entered Star FM radio studio in Guriel town, Galmudug State and detained its journalist, Ubeyd Hassan Mohamud, following his report on the unsuccessful efforts to end inter-clan conflict in the region. According to Ubeyd, he was held at a private house owned by the commander of NISA in Guriel for four days. He was freed on Monday 14 June without charges. Upon his release, Ubeyd told SJS that he did not eat during the days in detention due to severe breathing complications resulting from pre-existing health conditions.

Star FM radio journalist, Ubeyd Hassan Mohamud. |PHOTO/COURTESY/ SJS.

Galmudug’s Guriel district officials and the commander of the police station declined to comment when contacted by SJS.

On Thursday 10 June, Somali federal police officers from Hodan District in Mogadishu and plain-clothed NISA officers cornered and intimidated a dozen of journalists from local and international media who were covering protest by parents of allegedly “missing” Somali soldiers in Eritrea. According to the affected journalists, the officers then forced journalists to stop recording interviews with the parents who were complaining in front of the cameras in Mogadishu’s KM4 intersection. At least four journalists took shelter within the crowd after the officers chased them in an attempt to confiscate equipment.

On 23 May, South West State’s Bay Regional Police Commissioner, Amin Mad-Darur summoned three journalists from local media: Abdirashid Mohamed Ibrahim, Qasim Mohamed Ahmed and Ali Mohamud Adan shortly after they left a press conference by local clan elders who complained against the new cabinet formation of the Jubbaland State. The police chief threatened the journalists with harsh consequences should they report about the news conference citing those elders lacked prior authorization from South West State authorities. None of the three journalists filed the news report out of fear for their safety.

Meanwhile, SJS is concerned by the continued harassment against journalist Ibrahim Mohamed Mayow by the Lower Shabelle Regional Administration officers. On 2 May, police officers in Afgoye detained journalist Mayow a day after he covered displaced families who complained about diversion of food aid intended to the displaced families. He was freed when his TV station agreed to delete the story as a pre-condition for his release. However, authorities continue to harass and block the journalist from accessing government events.

”it’s appalling that attacks, arrests and other threats against journalists continue to happen with total impunity at the hands of senior regional and federal member officials as elections draw closer in Somalia,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, “If such violations continue, journalists and media stations will not be able to freely cover the forthcoming elections which is a testament to Somalia’s fragile democracy.”

“On behalf of the SJS and entire media fraternity, we condemn the continued attacks against the journalists and media houses in Somalia. We call for the Somali federal government and the federal member states to respect the press freedom and the freedom of the expression, and allow journalists to freely conduct their journalistic profession without fear of reprisal. These are constitutional rights and should be protected.”

SJS welcomes Risaala Media Corporation journalists as new members paving the way for CBA

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May 30, 2021

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Journalists from Risaala Media Corporation on Sunday elected their union representative. — Journalists from Risaala Media Corporation on Sunday elected their union representative during an election in Mogadishu. | Photo/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 30 May, 2021 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomed 16 journalists from Risaala Media Corporation to join as union members, paving the way for negotiations of the journalists’ collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in a step forward to improving the working conditions of the journalists.

Risaala Media Corporation is among the reputable media organizations and has been in operation for more than a decade now. Risaala is also a leading member of the Somali Media Association (SOMA).

On Sunday, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, union officials and representatives from Risaala Media Corporation observed the election of the trade union representative where a veteran journalist, Abduqadir Mohamed Nur, has been elected as SJS representative beating his contender, Rahma Mohamed Sheikh, with eight votes out of 12 votes casted.

“We are glad to witness another milestone towards accelerating our union membership in a bid to promote the rights of our members and the press freedom situation in the country. We welcome our new members from Risaala Media Corporation, whose memberships have been approved after the requirements were met,” said Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin.

Journalists at Risaala Media Corporation await voting to elect their union representative in Mogadishu, on Sunday 30 May, 2021. | Photo/ Mohamed Jibril for SJS.

“We also commend the democratic election of our colleague journalist, Abduqadir Mohamed Nur, as the shop steward for Risaala Media Corporation. I hope that, with his extensive experience, he will represent and defend the interests of his fellow employees in behalf of SJS,” added Mr. Mumin.

Journalist Abduqadir Mohamed Nur (left) elected as the union representative beating his challenger, Rahma Mohamed Sheikh (right) on Sunday 30 May, 2021. | Photo/ Mohamed Jibril for SJS.

Hassan Abdi Ahmed, the head of human resources for Risaala Media Corporation thanked SJS leadership for approving the membership applications of his team and underlined the need for a joint front to defend the rights of the journalists.

“Risaala Media Corporation is not only a media company; we are on the forefront in defending press freedom and the freedom of expression in Somalia. On behalf of Risaala Media Corporation, we are glad to work with SJS on many fronts including to ensure better working conditions for journalists and to provide more professional trainings to our employees,” he added.

SJS and Risaala Media Corporation will jointly work on several aspects including, but not limited to, improving the working conditions through a collective bargaining agreement, in-house trainings for journalists, editors and newsroom staff as well as improving safety mechanisms for journalists.

SJS oo ka dalbatay Xafiiska RW inuu suxufiyiinta u oggolaado tebinta shirka doorashooyinka ee ka socda Muqdisho

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May 24, 2021

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Suxufiyiinta oo ka soo waramaya shir jaraa'id kaddib mudaaharaadyo mucaaradku ka dhigeen Muqdisho. — Suxufiyiinta oo ka soo waramaya shir jaraa'id kaddib mudaaharaadyo mucaaradku ka dhigeen Muqdisho, 20 Febraayo, 2021. | Photo/SJS.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya 24 May, 2021 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu ugu baaqayaa Xafiiska Ra’iisul Wasaaraha Soomaaliya inuu u oggolaado warfidiyeenka inay kasoo warrami karaan shirka doorashooyinka, iyadoo suxufiyiintu ka cawdeen sida bareerka ah ee looga horjoogsaday inay helaan xogta ku saabsan shirka doorashada ee ka socda magaalada Muqdisho.

Shirka Hoggaamiyeyaasha Qaranka ee Doorashooyinka ayaa ka furmay magaalada Muqdisho Sabtidii, 22 May, iyadoo dadweynaha Soomaaliyeed ay aad u daneynayaan. Nasiib darrose, dadka Soomaaliyeed ma oga waxa ka socda miiska wadahadalka ee gudaha Teendhada Afisyoone ee garoonka diyaaradaha Muqdisho, maxaa yeelay xafiiska ra’iisul wasaaraha Soomaaliya ayaa hor istaagay tebinta suxufiyiinta ee shirka.

Warfidiyeennada ka socda dhowr warbaahinta maxalli ah iyo kuwo caalami ah ayaa u sheegay SJS in kaddib markii ay magacyadooda ka diiwaangeliyeen Xafiiska Ra’iisul Wasaaraha toddobaad ka hor ayna codsadeen in loo oggolaado soo tebinta wararka doodaha madaxda ee arrimaha doorashooyinka, saraakiisha warfaafinta ee Ra’iisul Wasaaraha ay ku soo wargeliyeen in aan suxufiyiinta loo oggolaan ka soo imaanshaha goobta shirka iyadoo aan wax sharaxaad ah laga bixin.

SJS waxay ugu yeereysaa kuwa ku lugta leh xayiraadahaas, oo ay ka mid yihiin waaxda warfaafinta ee Xafiiska Ra’iisul Wasaaraha, inay u oggolaadaan weriyeyaasha inay ka soo waramaan shirka doorashada.

“Waxaan la hadalnay suxufiyiinta ka socda warbaahinta maxalliga ah iyo kuwa caalamiga ahba, kuwaasoo sheegay siday isugu dayeen inay tagaan oo kasoo warramaan shirka hase yeeshee waxaa xannibaad saaray shaqaalaha Xafiiska Ra’iisul Wasaaraha. Waan cambaareyneynaa xannibaadahaas,” ayuu yiri Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, xoghayaha guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS).

“Waxaan ugu baaqeynaa Xafiiska Ra’iisul Wasaaraha inuu si deg deg ah uga qaado xayiraadaha saaran warfidiyeennada, lana hubiyo in dhammaan suxufiyiinta ay tabiyaan wadahadalada socda ee doorashada iyadoo aan wax shuruud ah lagu xirin. Saraakiisha waa inay ogaadaan in hannaanka loo dhan yahay ee doorashada uusan aheyn kaliya codeynta, laakiin sidoo kale ay ku jirto ka qeyb-qaadashada iyo inay dadweynuhu helaan macluumaad ku filan oo ku saabsan geedi socodka doorashada lafteeda si ay dadku u qaataan xulashooyin ku dhisan xog ogaalnimo.”

Qodobka 32 ee Dastuurka Federaalka Ku-meelgaarka ah wuxuu si cad u ilaalinayaa xuquuqda helitaanka macluumaadka, oo ay ku jiraan macluumaadka ay heyso dowladdu. Ka hor istaagidda suxufiyiinta inay ka soo warramaan shirka doorashada waxay xadgudub cad ku tahay Dastuurka Dalka, sidoo kalena waa faragelin qaawan oo lagu hayo xuquuqda aasaasiga ah ee aadanaha.

SJS waxay xasuusineysaa Dowladda Federaalka ah ee Soomaaliya iyo hogaamiyaasha dowladaha xubnaha ka ah ee kaqeyb galaya shirka doorashada in warbaahinta ay tahay tan ilaalineysa doorashooyinka dimoqraadiga ah iyo inay warbaahinta xaqiijiso hufnaanta geeddi socodka doorashooyinka. Doorasho daah furan oo aan lahayn xorriyadda warbaahinta ama la cabburiyo xorriyadda saxaafadda waxay horseedi kartaa muran ka dhasha natiijada doorashada.

SJS calls Somali PM’s Office to give journalists unhindered access to the national electoral talks in Mogadishu

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May 24, 2021

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Journalists gather during protests in Mogadishu on 20 February 2021. — Somali journalists gather to cover an opposition protest in Mogadishu on 20 February 2021. | Photo/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia May 24, 2021 – Somali Journalist Syndicate (SJS) calls for the Somali Prime Minister’s office to allow journalists to get unhindered access to the national electoral conference, following the journalists’ complaints that they were deliberately blocked from accessing the ongoing national election talks in Mogadishu.

The National Leaders Conference began on Saturday, 22 May, in Mogadishu with great public interest. Unfortunately, the Somali people do not know what is happening at the discussion table inside the Afisyone hangar at Mogadishu Airport, because the Prime Minister’s office blocked journalists’ coverage of the conference.

Journalists from a dozen local and international media houses told SJS that after registering their names with the Prime Minister’s Office a week ago and had applied access to cover national leaders’ discussions on elections, communication officials of the Prime Minister told journalists that they were not allowed to attend the conference without further explanations.

SJS condemns all kinds of violations including restrictions against access to information, and calls for officials involved to stop reported restrictions and allow journalists to have unhindered access to cover the electoral conference.

“We spoke with journalists from the local and international media, who described their frustrations in attempting to access the conference and how they were blocked by employees of the Prime Minister’s office. We condemn these restrictions,” said Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

“We call for the Office of the Prime Minister to immediately lift the restrictions imposed on the journalists and ensure all journalists to cover the ongoing talks of the elections without any preconditions. Officials should know that an inclusive electoral process is not just about voting, but also a participatory process where people have adequate information about the election process itself in order to make informed choices.”

Article 32 of the Provisional Federal Constitution clearly preserves the right of access to information, including the information held by the state. Blocking journalists’ access to the election conference is a clear violation of the Somali Constitution and is also a blatant interference with a fundamental human rights.

The SJS reminds the Somali federal government and the leaders of the member states attending the election conference that the media acts as an essential watchdog for democratic elections and ensures the transparency of the process. Democratic elections without media freedom or stifled media freedom would be a contradiction.

Saddex sano kaddib, askarigii dilay weriye Cabdirisaaq Qaasim Iiman weli caddaaladda lama horkeenin

Unresolved: Three years on, police officer who killed cameraman Abdirizak Qasim Iman is not yet apprehended

Police and NISA detain and harass journalists in Mogadishu, Gedo, Hirshabelle and Las’Anod

Warfidiyeenka oo heli waayey xogta ku saabsan dedaalka dowladda ee ku wajahan Covid19 iyo tallaalka Soomaaliya

Journalists found it difficult to access information about government’s response to Covid19 and vaccines in Somalia

SJS condemns overnight attack and knife injury on its training secretary, calls for prompt investigations

Journalist detained in Galmudug, others threatened and intimidated in Mogadishu and South West

SJS welcomes Risaala Media Corporation journalists as new members paving the way for CBA

SJS oo ka dalbatay Xafiiska RW inuu suxufiyiinta u oggolaado tebinta shirka doorashooyinka ee ka socda Muqdisho

SJS calls Somali PM’s Office to give journalists unhindered access to the national electoral talks in Mogadishu

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