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Tanzania: Systematic restrictions on fundamental freedoms in the run-up to national elections

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Civil society letter endorsed by over 65 organisations to President of Tanzania ahead of 28 October National Elections

To: President John Magufuli

Excellency, 

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are deeply concerned about the continued deterioration of democracy, human rights and rule of law in the United Republic of Tanzania. In the past five years, we have documented the steady decline of the country into a  state of repression, evidenced by the increased harassment, intimidation, prosecution, and persecution of political activists, human rights defenders (HRDs), journalists and media houses; the enactment of restrictive laws; and disregard for rule of law, constitutionalism, as well as regional and international human rights standards. We are deeply concerned that the situation has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and as the country heads for general elections on 28 October 2020.[1]

Tanzania as a party to several regional and international treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, has a legal obligation to respect and protect fundamental rights, particularly the right to – freedom of expression and the media, peacefully assemble, form and join associations, and to participate in public affairs, which are fundamental rights for free and fair elections in a democratic society. As a member of the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Tanzania has committed to uphold and promote democratic principles, popular participation, and good governance.

Leading up to the elections in Tanzania, we have unfortunately documented an unfavourable environment for public participation and free engagement in the political process. The role of the media in providing information and access to varying viewpoints in a true democracy is indispensable. Media houses must be allowed to provide these services without undue restrictions, yet in recent times, several independent media houses have been suspended. These have included the seven-day suspensions of The Citizen newspaper in February 2019,[2]Clouds TV and Clouds FM in August 2020, and the six-month suspension of Kwanza online TV in September 2019[3] and again in July 2020 for 11 months;[4] the online publication ban against Mwananchi news in April 2020;[5]the revocation, effective June 24, 2020, of the license of the Tanzania Daima newspaper;[6] and the fines against online stations, Watetezi TV and Ayo TV in September 2019.[7]We note, with great disappointment, that the government is yet to comply with a ruling by the East African Court of Justice requiring the amendment of the Media Services Act to address the unjustified restrictions on freedom of expression.[8]

We are further concerned about the restrictions on individuals peacefully expressing their opinions, including criticising public officials.[9] The latter are required to tolerate a greater amount of criticism than others – a necessary requirement for transparency and accountability. Tanzania’s criminal justice system has however been misused to target those who criticize the government. Tito Magoti and IT expert Theodory Giyani were arrested in December 2019 and questioned over their social media use and association with certain government critics.[10]The duo were subsequently charged with economic crimes, including “money laundering” which is a non-bailable offence. Despite their case being postponed more than 20 times since December 2019, and no evidence being presented against them, they remain in pre-trial detention.[11] Investigative journalist Erick Kabendera was similarly arrested and charged with “money laundering” where he was held in pre-trial detention for seven months with his case postponed over ten times.[12] Several United Nations (UN) mandate holders have raised concern about the misuse of the country’s anti-money laundering laws that “allow the Government to hold its critics in detention without trial and for an indefinite period.”[13]

Most recently, a prominent human rights lawyer and vocal critic of the government, Fatma Karume was disbarred from practising law in Tanzania following submissions she made in a constitutional case challenging the appointment of the Attorney General.[14] Other lawyers are also facing disciplinary proceedings for publicly raising issues on judicial independence and rule of law.  Opposition leader, Zitto Kabwe was arrested and prosecuted for statements made calling for accountability for extrajudicial killings by State security agents.[15] The above cases are clear evidence of intolerance for alternative views and public debate.

In addition, authorities should ensure respect for the right of individuals to freely form associations and for those associations to participate in public affairs, without unwarranted interference. We note the increasing misuse of laws to restrict and suspend the activities of civil society organisations.[16] On August 12, Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) was notified that its bank accounts had been frozen pending police investigations. THRDC’s coordinator was then summoned by the police to explain an alleged failure to submit to the State Treasury its contractual agreements with donors.[17]  Prior to this, in June 2020, the authorities disrupted the activities of THRDC for allegedly contravening “laws of the land.”[18] Several other non-governmental organisations working on human rights issues have been deregistered or are facing harassment for issuing public statements critical of the government. Ahead of the elections some civil society organisations have reported being informally told by authorities to cease activities. As a result of the repressive environment, civil society organisations have been forced to self-censor activities. 

We also note the enactment of further restrictive laws.[19] For example, the Written Laws Miscellaneous Amendments Act (The Amendment Act)[20] which has introduced amendments to 13 laws.[21] The Amendment Act requires anyone making a claim for violation of rights to have been personally affected.[22] This limits the ability of civil society organisations to carry out legal aid and law-based activities where they are not personally harmed. It violates Article 26(2) of the country’s Constitution, which provides for the right of every person “to take legal action to ensure the protection of this Constitution and the laws of the land.” Furthermore, it is an internationally recognized best practice that all persons, whether individually or in association with others, have the right to seek an effective remedy before a judicial body or other authority in response to a violation of human rights.[23] The Amendment Act further provides that lawsuits against the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, or Chief Justice cannot be brought against them directly but must be brought against the Attorney General.[24] This provision undermines government accountability for human rights violations. We remind the authorities that international bodies have raised concerns about Tanzania’s repressive laws.[25]

We are especially concerned over the continued cases of verbal threats and physical attacks against members of opposition political parties.[26] We note with concern that to date, no one has been held accountable for the 2017 attack against the CHADEMA party leader, Tundu Lissu, who is a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections. Most recently, opposition leader Freeman Mbowe was brutally attacked and his assailants are still at large. Failure to thoroughly and impartially investigate such cases breeds a culture of violence and impunity, which in turn threatens the peace and security of the country. The government must take steps to bring perpetrators of such violence to account and to guarantee the safety of all other opposition party members and supporters.

Earlier, in November 2019, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) issued a press statement on the “deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania.”[27] The Commission specifically voiced concern over “the unprecedented number of journalists and opposition politicians jailed for their activities.” The ongoing crackdown on civic space in Tanzania also led the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to issue a strong warning ahead of the 28 October 2020 General Elections. At the opening of the UN Human Rights Council’s 45th session, she “[drew] the Council’s attention to increasing repression of the democratic and civic space, in what is becoming a deeply deteriorated environment for human rights” and stressed that “[with] elections approaching later this month, we are receiving increasing reports of arbitrary arrests and detention of civil society actors, activists, journalists and members of opposition parties.” She added: “Further erosion of human rights could risk grave consequences, and I encourage immediate and sustained preventive action.”[28]

While we acknowledge measures taken by your government to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect the citizens of Tanzania, we are deeply concerned that the pandemic has been used to unduly restrict fundamental freedoms. Examples are the arrest and sentencing of two Kenyan journalists for interviewing members of the public in Tanzania on the status of the pandemic in the country[29] as well as, the suspension of  Kwanza Online TV for reposting an alert by the U.S. embassy in Tanzania regarding the pandemic in the country.[30]  The rights to peacefully express one’s opinion, receive information, peaceful assembly and association, and to participate in public affairs are not only essential in the context of the upcoming elections, but also in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Freedom of expression in particular, ensures “the communication of information to the public, enabling individuals to … develop opinions about the public health threat so that they can take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their communities.”[31]  The UN has repeatedly emphasized that Government responses to COVID-19 must not be used as a pretext to suppress individual human rights or to repress the free flow of information.[32] 

The need for Tanzania to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law is now more than ever important as a matter of national security, following recent reports of insurgent attacks along Tanzania’s border with Mozambique.[33] Studies have shown that experiences of injustice, marginalization and a breakdown in rule of law, are root causes of disaffection and violence. A peaceful and prosperous nation requires good governance and respect for rule of law, with a society that protects fundamental freedoms and ensures justice for all.

As civil society organisations deeply concerned about constitutionalism, justice, and democracy in the United Republic of Tanzania, we strongly urge your Excellency to adhere to your undertaking to ensure a free and fair election in Tanzania. The government has an obligation to create an enabling environment for everyone, including political opposition, non-governmental organisations, journalists, and other online users, HRDs, and other real or perceived government opponents to exercise their human rights without fear of reprisals. As such, we call on the relevant authorities to immediately drop criminal charges and release defenders such as Tito Magoti and Theodory Giyani and any others being prosecuted for peacefully exercising their rights. Suspensions and the freezing of assets of non-governmental organisations such as THRDC, independent media houses such as Kwanza Online TV, and members of the legal profession- particularly Fatma Karume, must be reversed.  Opposition parties must be allowed to freely and peacefully campaign and engage with their supporters without undue restrictions such as arbitrary arrests, physical attacks, forceful dispersal and intimidation of supporters, and harassment by security forces. The legitimacy of Tanzania’s elections is at stake.

We call on Tanzania to heed the messages delivered by national, African, and international actors and to change course before the country enters a full-fledged human rights crisis, with potentially grave domestic and regional consequences.

Signed:

  1. Access Now, Global
  2. Acción Solidaria on HIV/aids, Venezuela
  3. Africa Freedom of Information Centre 
  4. Africa Judges and Jurists Forum
  5. AfroLeadership
  6. ARTICLE 19, Global
  7. Asia Dalit Rights Forum (ADRF), New Delhi and Kathmandu
  8. Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE)
  9. Association of Freelance Journalists
  10. BudgIT Foundation, Nigeria
  11. CEALDES, Colombia
  12. Center for Civil Liberties, Ukraine
  13. Centre for Human Rights & Development (CHRD), Mongolia
  14. Centre for Law and Democracy, Canada
  15. Center for National and International Studies, Azerbaijan
  16. Child Watch, Tanzania
  17. CIVICUS, Global
  18. Civic Initiatives, Serbia
  19. CIVILIS Human Rights, Venezuela
  20. Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
  21. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  22. Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), South Sudan
  23. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
  24. Corporación Comuna Nueva, Santiago de Chile
  25. DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
  26. Democracy Monitor PU, Azerbaijan
  27. Eastern Africa Journalists Network (EAJN)
  28. Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO)
  29. Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Coalition (EHRDC)
  30. Espacio Público, Venezuela
  31. Front Line Defenders, Global
  32. Gestos (HIV and AIDS, communication, gender), Brazil
  33. Greenpeace Africa
  34. Groupe d’Action pour le Progrès et la Paix (GAPP-Afrique), Canada
  35. Groupe d’Action pour le Progrès et la Paix (GAPP-BENIN)
  36. Groupe d’Action pour le Progrès et la Paix (GAPP Mali)
  37. HAKI Africa, Kenya
  38. Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
  39. Human Rights Defenders Network, Sierra Leone
  40. Humanium, Switzerland
  41. HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement (HuMENA Regional)
  42. International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) – Belgium
  43. Jade Propuestas Sociales y Alternativas al Desarrollo, A.C. (JADESOCIALES)- México
  44. Ligue Burundaise des droits de l’homme Iteka-Burundi
  45. Maison de la Société Civile (MdSC), Bénin
  46. MARUAH, Singapore
  47. Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Nigeria
  48. Nigeria Network of NGOs, Nigeria 
  49. Nouvelle Dynamique de la Société Civile de la RD Congo (NDSCI)
  50. Odhikar, Bangladesh
  51. ONG Convergence des Actions Solidaires et les Objectifs de Développement Durable (CAS-ODD ONG) – Bénin
  52. ONG Nouvelle Vision (NOVI), Bénin
  53. Open School of Sustainable Development (Openshkola), Russia
  54. Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA)
  55. Partnership for Peace and Development, Sierra Leone
  56. RESOSIDE, Burkina Faso
  57. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Global
  58. Sisters of Charity Federation, United States
  59. Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Somalia
  60. Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)
  61. Sudanese Development Initiative (SUDIA), Sudan
  62. The Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU), Uganda
  63. Tournons La Page (TLP)
  64. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network, Sierra Leone
  65. Women in Democracy And Governance, Kenya (WIDAG)
  66. Zambia Council for Social Development, Zambia

–

[1] United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner, UN Experts call on Tanzania to end the crackdown on civic space, July 22, 2020, available at https://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26117&LangID=E.

[2] Committee to Protect Journalists, Tanzania imposes 7-day publication ban on The Citizen, March 01, 2019, available at https://cpj.org/2019/03/tanzania-citizen-7-day-publication-ban/

[3] Committee to Protect Journalists, Tanzanian authorities ban online TV station, fine 2 others, January 8, 2020, available at https://cpj.org/2020/01/tanzanian-authorities-ban-online-tv-station-fine-2/

[4] Committee to Protect Journalists, Tanzania bans Kwanza Online TV for 11 months citing ‘misleading’ Instagram post on COVID-19, July 09, 2020, available at https://cpj.org/2020/07/tanzania-bans-kwanza-online-tv-for-11-months-citing-misleading-instagram-post-on-covid-19/

[5] Committee to Protect Journalists, Tanzanian newspaper banned from publishing online for 6 months over COVID-19 report, May 11, 2020, available at https://cpj.org/2020/01/tanzanian-authorities-ban-online-tv-station-fine-2/

[6] Committee to Protect Journalist, Tanzanian government revokes license of Tanzania Daima newspaper, June 26, 2020, available at https://cpj.org/2020/06/tanzanian-government-revokes-license-of-tanzania-daima-newspaper/

[7] Committee to Protect Journalists, Tanzanian authorities ban online TV station, fine 2 others, January 8, 2020 available at https://cpj.org/2020/01/tanzanian-authorities-ban-online-tv-station-fine-2/

[8]Committee to Protect Journalists, East Africa court rules that Tanzania’s Media Services Act violates press freedom, March 28, 2019, available at https://www.mediadefence.org/news/important-media-freedom-judgment-east-african-court-justice

[9] We refer to cases such as the arrest of prominent comedian, Idris Sultan, in May 2020 (https://thrdc.or.tz/tanzanian-comedian-and-actor-mr-idris-sultan-charged-for-failure-to-register-a-sim-card/), and the disbarment from practicing law of prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, Fatma Karume (https://www.icj.org/tanzania-icj-calls-for-reinstatement-of-lawyer-fatma-karumes-right-to-practice-law/). 

[10] Committee to protect journalists, Mwanachi, The Citizen, last seen in Tanzania, November 21, 2017, available at https://cpj.org/data/people/azory-gwanda/.

[11] American Bar Association, Center for Human Rights, Tanzania: Preliminary Analysis of the criminal case against Tito Magoti and Theodory Giyani, July 28, 2020, available at https://www.americanbar.org/groups/human_rights/reports/tanzania–preliminary-analysis-of-the-criminal-case-against-tito/.

[12] Committee to Protect Journalists, Tanzanian journalist Erick Kabendera freed but faces hefty fines, February 24, 2020, available at https://cpj.org/2020/02/tanzanian-freelancer-erick-kabendera-freed-but-fac/

[13] Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Letter to President of Tanzania, Reference AL TZA 1/2020, January 31, 2020, available at https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=25049.

[14] International Commission of Jurists, Tanzania: ICJ Calls for the reinstatement of lawyer Fatma Karume’s right to practice law, October 8, 2020, available at https://www.icj.org/tanzania-icj-calls-for-reinstatement-of-lawyer-fatma-karumes-right-to-practice-law/

[15]The Citizen, Zitto Kabwe sentenced to serve one year ban not writing seditious statements, May 29, 2020, available at https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Zitto-Kabwe-found-guilty-of-sedition/1840340-5567040-m7pifrz/index.htm

[16] The cancellation of a training organised by Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), the subsequent arrest of THRDC’s Director, Onesmo Olengurumwa, and suspension of the activities of the organisation, as well as freezing of their accounts, exemplifies the misuse of these laws against civil society (See: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/tanzania-human-rights-group-suspends-operations/1945400)

[17] DefendDefenders, Tanzania: Respect the right to freedom of association, August 24, 2020, available at https://defenddefenders.org/tanzania-respect-the-right-to-freedom-of-association/.

[18] Two employees of one of THRDC were arrested in Dar es Salaam and thereafter authorities proceed to arbitrarily cancel the hosting of a three-day security training for 30 human rights defenders. The police claimed that the training was in contravention of the “laws of the land” but did not give a specific provision

[19] These include the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations; Media Services Act; Cybercrimes Act; and Political Parties Amendment Act.

[20] Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments Act (No. 3) of 2020)

[21] Southern Africa Litigation Center, Joint letter, The Written Laws Miscellaneous Amendments Act no.3 ( 2020), available at https://www.southernafricalitigationcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Honourable-Minister-of-Justice-for-the-Republic-of-Tanzania.pdf-August-2020.pdf

[22] Section 7(b) of the Written Laws Amendments Act

[23] The African Commission’s Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa provide that States must ensure through the adoption of national legislation that any individual, group of individuals or nongovernmental organization is entitled to bring a human rights claim before a judicial body for determination because such claims are matters of public concern.

[24] Amendments to Chapter 310 of the Law Reform (Fatal accidents and miscellaneous provisions) Act and to the Chapter 3 of the Basic Rights and Duties Enforcement Act

[25]   See for example communication of the Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; and the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association to the government of the United Republic of Tanzania, AL TZA 3/2020, 17 July 2020, https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=25442 

[26] These include the verbal abuse and threats of execution against Zitto Kabwe, leader of Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT) Wazalendo opposition party (see: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51355148), his conviction for sedition for statements he made at a press conference in relation to alleged extra judicial killings by state security forces (https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/Zitto-Kabwe-found-guilty-of-sedition/1840340-5567040-m7pifrz/index.html), and his re-arrested together with several party members while they participated in an internal meeting (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/06/24/tanzanian-opposition-leader-zitto-kabwe-released-on-bail/); as well as the conviction of nine Members of Parliament belonging to the opposition Chama Cha Demokrasia(CHADEMA) party and their sentencing in March 2020 to five months in prison or an alternative fine, for allegedly making seditious statements (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tanzania-politics/tanzanian-opposition-lawmakers-found-guilty-of-making-seditious-statements-idUSKBN20X2O8); and the attack against the party leader, Freeman Mbowe, by unknown assailants leaving him with a broken leg (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tanzania-politics/tanzanian-opposition-lawmakers-found-guilty-of-making-seditious-statements-idUSKBN20X2O8).

[27] African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Press statement of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania, available at https://www.achpr.org/pressrelease/detail?id=459.

[28] Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “In her global human rights update, Bachelet calls for urgent action to heighten resilience and protect people’s rights,” 14 September 2020, https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26226&LangID=E

[29] Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition, Two Kenyan Journalists convicted and fined in Tanzania, repatriated back to Kenya, May 21, 2020, available at https://thrdc.or.tz/blog/.

[30]American Bar Association, Center for Human Rights, Report on the arbitrary suspension of Kwanza Online TV for sharing information related to the COVID-19 pandemic, October 22, 2020. See also Kwanza TV Instagram, available athttps://www.instagram.com/p/CCGT_5ECT_n/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

[31] Disease pandemics and the freedom of opinion and expression, A/HRC/44/49, para. 30

[32] The Guardian, Coronavirus pandemic is becoming a human rights crisis, UN warns, 23 April 2020, available at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/23/coronavirus-pandemic-is-becoming-a-human-rights-crisis-un-warns. See also UNHRC,, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, States responses to Covid 19 threat should not halt freedoms of assembly and association, April 14, 2020, available at https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25788&LangID=E.

[33] BBC, Tanzania border village attack “leaves 20 dead”, October 16, 2020, available at https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-47639452?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5f896f00c4548e02bf3cb441%26Tanzania%20border%20village%20attack%20%27leaves%2020%20dead%27%262020-10-16T10%3A29%3A29.229Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:2f81fc88-030c-49d4-9d25-b8268a2dbf55&pinned_post_asset_id=5f896f00c4548e02bf3cb441&pinned_post_type=share

NISA oo wareysi dartiis u xirtay weriye Cabdullaahi Kulmiye Caddow oo ka tirsan Radio Kulmiye

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Prominent Radio Kulmiye journalist, Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow has been detained after armed NISA officers raided his home in Mogadishu on Saturday 17 October, 2020. | PHOTO/SJS/COURTESY.
Prominent Radio Kulmiye journalist, Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow has been detained after armed NISA officers raided his home in Mogadishu on Saturday 17 October, 2020. | PHOTO/SJS/COURTESY.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya 18 Oktoobar, 2020 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed ee SJS iyo Dalladda Warbaahinta Soomaaliyeed ee SOMA ayaa si adag u cambaareeyay weerarka iyo xarigga magaalada Muqdisho loogu geystay weriyaha caanka ah ee Radio Kulmiye, Cabdullaahi Kulmiye Caddow habeennimadii Sabtida 17 Oktoobar 2020.

Sida ay xaqiijiyeen suxufiyiita ay isla shaqeynayeen weriye Caddow iyo qoyskiisaba, ciidamo aad u hubeysan oo ka tirsan Hay’adda Nabadsugidda iyo Sirdoonka Qaranka (NISA) ayaa weeraray hoyga weriyaha abbaare 11:30 habeennimo ee Sabtidii, iyagoo khalkhal ku abuuray qoyska weriyaha iyagoo kaddibna kexeystay weriyaha. Lama oga halka lagu xiray weriyaha illaa hadda.

Weerarka lagu ekeeyay hoyga weriyaha ayaa yimid saddex maalmood ka bacdi markuu weriye Cabdullaahi Kumiye Caddow wareystay nin ganacsade ah oo lagu eedeeyay inuu taageeray kooxda hubeysan ee al-Shabaab isla markaana cambaareeyay Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya, sida ay sheegeen agaasimaha Radio Kulmiye (KNN), Burhaan Diini Faarax iyo tifaftire Cabdiqani Cabdullaahi.

Markii lala xiriiray NISA masoo jawaabin, halka saraakiil ku sugan Taliska Danbi Baarista ee CID-da ay sheegeen inaysan ka warheyn xarigga weriyaha isla markaana aanan lagu xirin xarunta CID-da.

SJS iyo SOMA waxay ka walaacsan yihiin xaaladda badqabka jir ahaaneed iyo maskax ahaaneed ee weriye Cabdullaahi Kulmiye Caddow kaasoo aan la ogeyn halka lagu hayo. Waxaan ku baaqeynaa in si deg deg ah oo shuruud la’aan ah loo siidaayo weriyaha, kuwii ka dambeeyay weerarka gurigiisa lagu qaadeyna la horkeeno sharciga.

“Waa wax laga caroodo inaanu maqalnay weerarka hoyga weriye Cabdullaahi Kumiye Caddow lagu qaaday iyo xarigga loo geystay iyadoo aanan la sheegin halka lagu hayo, iyadoo sababta kaliya ee sidaa loo yeelayna ay tahay inuu soo bandhigay warbixin lid ku ah dowladda. Tani ma ahan wax la aqbali karo. Waxaanu ku baaqeynaa in si deg deg ah oo aanan shuruud lahayn loo siidaayo,” sidaa waxaa yiri Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS.

“Warfidiyeenka iyo xarumaha warbaahinta waa in loo oggolaadaa inay si xor ah uga soo waramaan shacdooyinka xasaasiga ah iyagoo aanan ka cabsaneyn xarig ama handadaad, xitaa hadday yihiin warar aysan jecleysaneynin Dowladda,” ayuu sii raaciyay hadalkiisa Xoghaye Mumin.

“Weerarka lagu qaaday hoyga weriye Cabdullaahi Kulmiye Caddow waa weerar halis ah oo lagu qaaday xorriyadda saxaafadda ee Soomaaliya. Xariggiisuna wuxuu la mid yahay afduub,” sidaasi waxaa yiri Maxamed Cabduwahaab Cabdullaahi, Xoghayaha Guud ee SOMA.

“Waxaan ugu baaqeynaa masuuliyiinta Dowladda inay joojiyaan caga-jugleynta ay ku hayaan warfidiyeenka iyo xarumaha warbaahinta ee loo arko inay soo tabiyaan dhacdooyinka ay dhibsaneyno Dowladda,” ayuu hadalkiisa sii raaciyay Xoghaye Maxamed.

Radio Kulmiye journalist detained in an undisclosed location after interviewing a businessman in Mogadishu

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Prominent Radio Kulmiye journalist, Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow has been detained after armed NISA officers raided his home in Mogadishu on Saturday 17 October, 2020.
Prominent Radio Kulmiye journalist, Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow has been detained after armed NISA officers raided his home in Mogadishu on Saturday 17 October, 2020. | PHOTO/SJS/COURTESY.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 18 October 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) vehemently condemn the raid on the prominent Radio Kulmiye journalist, Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow’s home and his illegal detention by officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Mogadishu on Saturday midnight 17 October, 2020.

According to colleagues and family members, heavily armed NISA officers raided journalist Addow’s house in Mogadishu around 11:30pm local time on Saturday leaving the family terrified and subsequently detained him. He has since been held at undisclosed location.

The raid follows three days after the journalist’s interview with a businessman who allegedly supported the armed group al-Shabaab and criticised the Somali authorities, according to the director of Radio Kulmiye, Burhan Dini Farah and the radio editor Abdiqani Abdullahi.

When contacted, NISA did not respond and the police officials at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) said they were not aware of the arrest nor was he detained at the CID.

SJS and SOMA are concerned about the physical and mental health conditions of journalist Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow. We call for his immediate and unconditional release and those responsible for the raid on his home should be brought to book.

“It is outrageous to hear that Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow’s house was raided and himself detained in an undisclosed location just for reporting a news story critical to the government. This is unacceptable. We call for his immediate and unconditional release,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “Journalists and their media houses should be allowed to freely report on crucial news stories without fear of arrest or harassment even if they are not favored by the authorities.”

“The raid on Radio Kulmiye journalist, Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow’s house is a serious attack on press freedom in Somalia. His detention in an undisclosed location is also an abduction,” Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the secretary general of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said “We call authorities to stop harassing journalists and media houses deemed critical to the state.”

Armed Somali police threaten, harass and arbitrary detain journalists in Mogadishu and Baidoa

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Cameraman Yusuf Mohamed Adan (left); Radio Kulmiye reporter, Farhan Mohamed Hussein (centre) and Radio Kulmiye cameraman, Mowlid Haji Abdi Kheyre (right) were attacked and detained by the police in Baidoa and Mogadishu..
Cameraman Yusuf Mohamed Adan (left); Radio Kulmiye reporter, Farhan Mohamed Hussein (centre) and Radio Kulmiye cameraman, Mowlid Haji Abdi Kheyre (right) were attacked and detained by the police in Baidoa and Mogadishu. | PHOTO/COMBINED/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 06 October 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) strongly condemn the gun threat, harassment and arbitrary detention by Somali police against journalists on Friday 2 October 2020 in Baidoa and on Monday 5 October 2020 in Mogadishu respectively.

On Friday, South West State police detained freelance cameraman, Yusuf Mohamed Adan, who reports for Five Somali TV and Arlaadi News website, while covering a clan protest in Baidoa, according to Yusuf himself and colleagues.  He was held at the Baidoa police station until Sunday 4 October, when he was freed without charge.

On Monday, Radio Kulmiye reporter, Farhan Mohamed Hussein and his cameraman Mowlid Haji Abdi Kheyre were attacked by a uniformed police officer at Tarabunka junction in Mogadishu’s Hodan district. According to a video evidence and interviews with the pair, the radio journalists were on assignment to gather vox-pops from tuk tuk drivers regarding the re-opening of roads previously blocked by the security forces.  The police officer blocked the journalists from recording videos and threatened to shoot if they do so.  They were held at Hodan police station for several hours. Both were freed without charge.

“The police officer harassed us at gunpoint and even threatened to shoot us if we continue recording videos, forcing us to stop the interview,” said cameraman Mowlid.

SJS and SOMA are extremely concerned by the lack of accountability in the police to ensure credible investigation whenever their officers attack or threaten journalists.  It is also harrowing that journalists came under armed police attack while simply doing their job.

“We are very concerned by these latest string of targeted attacks on journalists in Mogadishu and Baidoa. These incidents follow President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s public comments on September 26 linking some journalists to al-Shabaab without any evidence,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) “We jointly call for an immediate investigation into these incidents. In order to end the impunity for crimes against journalists, Somali Federal government and its Member States should be serious and make sure redress for all abuses against journalists, including harassment, threats, attacks, arbitrary detention, and murder.”

“The police officers, who harassed the journalists and threatened, must be held accountable and a thorough and honest investigation be opened,” Mohamed Abdulwahaab, Secretary General of Somali Media Association said, “No police officer should be above the law”

Meanwhile SJS and SOMA welcome the joint letter by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Monday which calls for Somali President to take concrete steps to protect the media ahead of elections by starting with reforming the draconian media law and refraining from making statements that place journalists at risk.

Further, ahead of the elections, we jointly remind Somalia political leaders, the civil society groups and the international partners to take their responsibility to protect human rights including the right to freedom of expression and press freedom before, during and after the election, and therefore ensure that individuals known to have committed serious human rights violations — including violations and rights abuses against journalists— are not allowed to run for elected positions or any other government roles.

On IDUAI, SJS and SOMA bemoan Somali president’s unwarranted verbal attack on journalists

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MOGADISHU, Somalia, 28 September 2020 – On the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) bemoan and strongly reject President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s comments on Saturday night 26 September, when he linked journalists critical to his administration to al-Shabaab and blamed them for lack of knowledge without providing any single evidence.

In addition to the generalized ongoing violence against journalists, authorities in Somalia have often invoked alleged national security concerns and the fight against Al-Shabaab as a basis to attack journalists, shut down media houses, restrict the right to freedom of expression and access to information.

Somali journalists have been working under precarious conditions. About 70 journalists and media professionals were murdered in the line of duty since 1992 and 10 of them were killed since 2017 when President Farmajo took office. Number of journalists fleeing the country, due to safety reasons, also rose up. Journalists not only face endless violations and assassinations but their perpetrators almost always get away with impunity.

 “It is pitiful to see the Head of State- someone supposed to call for the protection of journalists and condemn the violations against the press- publicly linking journalists to terrorists. This is very dangerous and we call for the Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo to retract his comment and condemn all violations against the journalists and the media,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “Ahead of the elections, Somalia’s international partners should support efforts to improve safety of journalists and encourage the Somali government to stop human rights violations and abuses including attacks on media freedoms and carry out impartial, independent, transparent and effective investigations into all violations and attacks against journalists and other media houses.”

 “We express grave concerns that such comments by the Head of State in this critical time will not only endanger the safety of working journalists and media houses but also amount to a green light to the security forces to carry out further attacks against journalists and media houses with impunity in the pretext of countering al-Shabaab,” Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said.

SJS and SOMA also reject the President’s notion to describe the media law he signed recently as the “first one that gives rights to the journalists”. Contrary to the President’s claim, the Somali Media Law was first signed in January 2016 and the amendment started in March 2017. Further the amended version of the Media Law contains problematic and draconian provisions that threaten media freedom and the safety of the journalists.

Radio journalist detained in Hargeisa, Somali Parliament officials threaten media over controversial sexual bill coverage

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Freelance radio journalist, Ilyas Abdi Ali is detained in Hargeisa
Police in Hargeisa detain freelance radio journalist, Ilyas Abdi Ali (pictured) on Monday 14 September, 2020 over a facebook post. | PHOTO/Courtesy/Private.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 15 September 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) condemn the detention of freelance radio journalist, Ilyas Abdi Ali by the Somaliland police in Hargeisa on Monday 14 September, 2020, meanwhile, we call for officials at Somalia’s Federal Parliament to cease threats and intimidation targeting journalists and media houses who covered the Monday’s heated debate in the Lower House.

On Monday evening 14 September, police in Hargeisa detained journalist Ilyas Abdi Ali who simultaneously freelances for the Mogadishu-based independent Radio Kulmiye and the Nairobi-based humanitarian Radio Ergo. According to colleagues and journalists in Hargeisa, Ilyas was detained over a Facebook post calling for the release of Abdimanan Yusuf, the owner of Astaan TV, a local subscription-based cable TV service provider, who remains detained in Hargeisa since 17 July, 2020.  On Tuesday 15 September, a court in Hargeisa granted the police seven days of remand in custody for journalist Ilyas pending investigation, according to family and colleagues.

“Any form of Attack against  journalists is unacceptable and Somaliland authorities should immediately release journalist Ilyas Abdi Ali,” Mohamed Abdiwahab, Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said “Ilyas is a humanitarian journalist and his arrest not only represents a threat to the journalists in Somaliland but also constitutes rights violations.” 

Whereas, SJS and SOMA are concerned by the threats and intimidations levelled at journalists covering the Lower House of the Somali Federal Parliament, following a heated debate on the controversial sexual bill on Monday. We call for the officials at the Speaker’s Office to withdraw their threats of suspension against the media houses who covered the event.

“We are concerned that officials at the Parliament are threatening media houses with suspension for only covering a public debate in the Parliament. This must stop and media houses should be able to continue their coverage of the Parliament without any condition,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “The Parliament is the core branch, which oversights the country’s democratic institutions, and only through the independent media, will the public know about what legislations are being processed or debated.”

Separately, on Tuesday 8 September, police at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport blocked two journalists from Somali Cable TV, who were on assignment to cover an opposition politician returning to the country. According to the journalists, when they have asked for clarification, the police cited instructions from the Ministry of Information. However the officials at the Ministry of Information denied that they have given such instructions.

Meanwhile, Universal TV reporter, Khadar Rigah has been released on 12 September without charge after spending five days in Las Anod police cell over his coverage of a protest in Las Anod town.

Amid worsening press freedom situation, Puntland and Somaliland carry out multiple journalists’ arrest

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A police officer is seen in Hargeisa, Somaliland, on May 16, 2016. (AFP/Mohamed Abdiwahab)
A policeman stands on a car as he holds a rifle in downtown Hargeisa on May 16, 2016. | PHOTO/ MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB / AFP).

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 09 September 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) strongly condemn the multiple arrests against journalists and the judicial and police harassment by Puntland authorities in Garowe and Somaliland authorities in Hargeisa, Erigavo and Las Anod towns during the past few weeks amid a worsening press freedom situation.

On Sunday 6 September, Nugal Regional Court judge, Abdinur Jama ordered the arrest of two Radio Daljir journalists, Abdiqani Ahmed Mohamed and Khadar Awl after they visited the court complex in Garowe, the capital of Puntland. The journalists were pursuing a follow-up story of murder and rape case that took place in Garowe months ago.  According to the journalists and colleagues, both were released on Monday 7 September on a condition that they would be summoned back once the prosecutor prepares their charges.

“We condemn the judicial and police harassment and arbitrary arrests against Radio Daljir journalists which goes against both Puntland and Federal Constitution which guarantee the freedom of expression and that of the press,” Mohamed Abdiwahab, Secretary General of SOMA said, “Puntland authorities should stop pressing charges against the duo who only reported on stories that matters on public interest.”

In Las Anod town, Somaliand police on Monday 7 September detained Saab TV reporter, Abdifatah Mohamed Abdi after reporting the destruction of city roads by the recent rains. The Mayor of Las Anod, Mr. Abdiaziz Hassan Tarwale, reportedly ordered the arrest. According to the journalist, he was freed on Tuesday morning 8 September without charge.   However, Las Anod police on Tuesday morning 7 September arrested another journalist, Universal TV reporter, Khadar Rigah a week after his coverage of a protest by the local businesswomen against the recent demolition of business structures and taxes hike by the city administration.  The journalist is still held at the police station.

In Hargeisa, Eryal TV journalist Liban Osman Ali and Wajaale News website reporter, Abdiqadir Habane were freed without charges after spending six and three days respectively in the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), according to Ali and Habane.  Ali was arrested on 23 August after he interviewed a woman detained and held at the Hargeisa prison without charge for wearing an outfit made of Somali flag while Habane’s detention on 24 August was related to a story about local businesses he wrote a year and half ago.

In Erigavo, Somaliland police arrested Badda Cas TV reporter, Said Muse Farah on 25 August barely three weeks after he covered the local community’s protest against higher water prices in Erigavo. According to the journalist, he was freed on bail on Thursday 3 September.

“It’s outrageous that journalists are repeatedly arrested, bullied through judicial and police harassment only for covering matters of public interest. This sends a chilling message that reporting of any story with a public interest is a red line for the local authorities. We condemn these latest violations against the press in Somaliland and in Puntland,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, “We call for the Somaliland authorities to free detained journalists, stop intimidations and persecutions and allow journalists to freely exercise their profession without fear of reprisals.”

SJS iyo Facebook oo suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed u qabtay tababarkii ugu horreeyay ee badqabka

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SJS iyo Facebook ayaa tababarkii ugu horreeyay ee dhanka badqabka u sameeyay warfidiyeenka Soomaaliyeed.
SJS iyo Facebook ayaa tababarkii ugu horreeyay ee dhanka badqabka u sameeyay warfidiyeenka Soomaaliyeed. | PHOTO/SJS.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya, 5 Agoosto, 2020 – Shirkadda Facebook oo kaashaneysa Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (Somali Journalists Syndicate – SJS) ayaa qabtay tababar badqabka la xiriira oo ay ka faa’ideysteen in ka badan 40 weriye oo ku kala sugan guud ahaan Soomaaliya kaasoo lagu qabtay barta maqalka iyo muuqaalka ee Zoom maalintii Arbacada ee 2da Sebtembar, 2020.

Tababarkan oo cinwaankiisu ahaa ‘Sida Amni loogu Adeegsado Facebook‘ ayaa ahaa kii ugu horreeyay ee noociisa ah oo ay shirkadda Facebook u sameyso warfidiyeenka Soomaaliyeed, iyadoo ujeeddadu tahay sidii suxufiyiintu u fahmi lahaayeen habka badqabka marka ay adeegsanayaan Facebook iyagoo waajibkooda shaqo ee war-tebinta gudanaya.

“Tababarkan waa muhiim. Waxaan ku faraxsannahay in SJS uu noqday meeshii ugu horreysay ee tababar noocan oo kale marti-gelisa. Waxaan ammaanayaa kooxda ka socota Facebook ee tababarkan bixineysa oo go’aan ku gaaray inay fuliyaan tababarkan, kana rumeeyay,” ayuu yiri Xoghayaha Guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, “Iyadoo ay soo dhowdahay xilli doorasho, waxaa muhiimad weyn noo leh amniga iyo badqabka suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed. Waxaa jirtay tusaalayaal fara-badan oo ku saabsan weriyaal barahooda Facebook la weeraray, qaar la jabsaday iyo kuwo sifo khaldan looga iyadoo khatar la geliyay xogtooda gaarka ah, sababta kaliya ee loo yeelay sidaasna waa inay yihiin warfidiyeenno soo tebinaya runta.“

Facebook waa bar muhiim u ah suxufiyiinta. Ma’ahan kaliya inay suxufiyiintu u adeegsadaan wada xiriirka aas-aasiga ah, ee xitaa waxay u adeegsadaan ururinta xogta iyo la xiriirida ilo wareedyada. Facebook bar ahaan ayaaba loo adeegsadaa warbaahin ahaan oo waxay suxufiyiintu ku daabacaan wararka maalinlaha ah ee ay soo tebiyaan. Ugu yaraan dhammaan xarumaha warbaahinta ee Soomaaliya ka hawlgala ayaa adeegsada barta Facebook si ay xogta markaa ka dhacaysa dalka u gaarsiiyaan dadweynaha Soomaaliyeed oo ay ku jirto xogta ku saabsan Covid-19 iyo arrimaha kale ee bani’aadannimada.

Inagoo ku hadleyna magaca dhammaan warfidiyeenka Soomaaliyeed, ururka SJS wuxuu bogaadinayaa dadaalka shirkadda Facebook ay ugu jirto inay hagaajiso habka badqabka isticmaalayaasha Facebook oo ay ku jiraan suxufiyiinta. Waxaanu rajeynaynaa in mustaqbalka SJS iyo Facebook sii wadi doonaan ka wada-shaqeynta horumarinta badqabka suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed ee dhanka Facebook.

SJS and Facebook held first safety training for journalists in Somalia

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SJS and Facebook conduct journalists first safety training for Somali journalists.
SJS and Facebook conduct journalists first safety training for Somali journalists. The online training took place on Zoom on Wednesday 2 September, 2020. | Photo/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 5 August, 2020 – Facebook in collaboration with the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) held a safety training for more than 40 journalists across Somalia on Zoom platform on Wednesday 2 September, 2020.

The training entitled ‘Keeping Safe on Facebook‘ was the first ever such training by Facebook for the journalists in Somalia and aimed to enable journalists to understand how they can protect themselves on the platform and continue to carry out their profession.

“This is very important training. We are glad that SJS becomes the first journalists union to host this vital training. I applaud the Facebook team for initiating this training and making it happen,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said, “Ahead of the general elections in Somalia, safety and security of the journalists is of course a paramount importance. There are so many instances of incidents where journalist’s accounts were hacked improperly deleted, or disabled or even their safety and privacy compromised only because they are journalists and they are reporting the truth.“

Facebook remains a key platform for journalists in Somalia. It is not only used for basic communication but it is also a platform for news gathering, connecting between journalists and their news sources. It is a media itself in which reports and daily news incidents across the country are published. In the meantime almost all media houses are on Facebook to provide real-time news and information to the Somali public including information related to Covid-19 pandemic and the humanitarian and political developments.

On behalf of the Somali journalists, SJS appreciates the efforts made by Facebook to improve the safety of the platform users including journalists and we hope that in the future we can work together on many things with regard to the safety of our journalists in Somalia.

Media fraternity led by SJS and SOMA joined by the members of the civil society protest against the draconian media law in Mogadishu

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Journalists cover their mouths and cameras with tapes and pens to show protest their disapproval to the draconian media bill which was recently signed into a law. Photo credit: SJS

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 28 August 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Somali Media Association (SOMA) on Thursday joined journalists, editors, media directors and civil society representatives to protest against the amended draconian media law, which has been introduced this week, following the signature of the Somali President.

During the protest event held in Mogadishu on 27 August, 2020, journalists and media directors expressed grave concern by the very egregious provisions in the law. Several editors and journalists have also said that they feared for their safety since Wednesday, after the President’s Director of Communication made a threatening speech against media houses and the journalists deemed critical to the President. Members of the civil society also noted the serious threats the media law poses to the freedom of the media.

Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).
Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) during a protest held in Mogadishu on Thursday 27 August, 2020 in Mogadishu. | PHOTO by Mohamed Jibril/SJS.

Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of SJS, who gave detailed explanation on the most critical articles within the media law, warned that safety and privacy of journalists will be at stake if the law continues to take effect.

 “Ahead of the national elections, this law is meant to create a chilling effect on freedom of the press and that of the media in Somalia.  This law does not only impose censorship and threatens critical reporting, but it also forces journalists to be registered into a government database, which is unacceptable,” Mr. Mumin, SJS Secretary General said “Further threats are now coming from the office of the President against certain journalists and their media houses as it has been reported by several news editors and journalists. We warn those who are making these threats.”

Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) highlighted the need for immediate campaign to safeguard the endangered media and their journalists.

Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA)
Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of Somali Media Association (SOMA) during a protest held in Mogadishu on Thursday 27 August, 2020 in Mogadishu. | PHOTO by Mohamed Jibril/SJS.

“Our already endangered media houses are once again threatened with a media law which criminalises free flow of information and critical reporting. This law justifies restrictions on media coverage under pretext of vaguely worded provisions,” SOMA Secretary General, Mr. Abdullahi said “We are also concerned by the new threats targeting certain media and their journalists and we want to call for an immediate intervention to deal imminent threats posed by the Director of Communications of Villa Somalia, following his speech at the launch of the media law.”

Hanad Ali Guled, the editor of Googjoog Media Group said he was personally affected by the media law as he feared for his safety and that of his news sources. The law forces journalists reveal their sources.

“This morning I reported to work fearing that I am not safe and so my news sources. It is like I’m being held between a rock and a hard place- faced with two equally undesirable threats- one posed by this law and another by the environment,” Mr. Guled said.

Abdiqani Abdullahi Ibrahim, an online news editor with Kulmiye News Network (KNN) said the urgent introduction of the media law on Wednesday shows how the authorities were committed to suppress  independent media ahead of the general elections.

Journalists, editors and media directors cross out their mouth with tapes and pens in protest against the draconian media law on Thursday 27 August, 2020 in Mogadishu. | PHOTO/SJS
Journalists, editors and media directors cross out their mouth with tapes and pens in protest against the draconian media law on in Mogadishu on Thursday 27 August, 2020. | PHOTO by Mohamed Jibril/SJS

“It is like that no journalist or media house will be able to report fairly about elections, because several provisions of this law contain media censorship including the online media. We are at the greatest ever risk,” Mr. Ibrahim of KNN said.

Diini Mohamed, the former chairman of the Somalia Non State Actors (SONSA) has described the media law a very ‘wicked and a threat’ that need to be stopped.

“The civil society is very concerned by this Media Law. I got a copy of this law and I have read it. It is wicked, it is a threat and unacceptable. I am surprised that this law forces journalists to reveal their news sources. This is very dangerous. It must be repealed,” Diini Mohamed, Ex-chairman of the Somalia Non State Actors (SONSA) said.

Diini Mohamed, the ex-chairman of the Somali Non-State Actors.
Diini Mohamed, the ex-chairman of the Somali Non-State Actors during a protest held in Mogadishu on Thursday 27 August, 2020 in Mogadishu. | PHOTO by Mohamed Jibril/SJS

Mr Diini personally pledged to stand with journalists and media houses in defending their freedom.

“Media freedom is essential for democracy and above all safety of the journalists is the most important. I am extremely concerned that this media law requires journalists to register in a database run by the government. Why would they want to do this? I call for the journalists and their unions to stand together and oppose this law. We shall support you,” Mr. Diini added.

Hanad Ali Guled, the editor of Goobjoog Media Group crosses his mouth with a tape and a pen in protest against the repressive media law.
Hanad Ali Guled, the editor of Goobjoog Media Group crosses his mouth with a tape and a pen in protest against the repressive media law in Mogadishu on Thursday 27 August, 2020 in Mogadishu. | PHOTO by Mohamed Jibril/SJS.

The amended version of the media law remains the same as the previous media law, which was signed into law in 2016, and the legal comments submitted by Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Somali Media Association (SOMA) and other media associations were not incorporated, giving the government a pretext to crackdown critical media and journalists.

At the end of the event and the protest on Thursday, SJS and SOMA jointly called for an immediate review to be carried out with the incorporation of the input from the journalists, unions and media houses.

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Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is an independent journalists’ trade union established in May 2019 by professional journalists to defend rights of working journalists, advocate for press freedom and provide legal aid. SJS is a member of Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) and CIVICUS,the global coalition of civil society organisations. Tel: +252 1 857551

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