Mr. Mumin is the Secretary General of SJS and a longtime partner of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, who has dedicated his career to promote media freedom in Somalia and combat impunity for human rights violations against journalists and others. Beginning in October 2022, when Mr. Mumin criticized the Somali government’s restrictions on journalists’ abilities to report news, he was arbitrarily arrested three times, detained, and tortured by Somali state security forces. In September 2023, SJS and RFKHR submitted a communication to the UN Human Rights Committee for the human rights violations Mr. Mumin faced. Seemingly at the behest of government officials, the Premier Bank suspended SJS’ bank account shortly afterward, in retaliation for Mr. Mumin and SJS’ attempt to seek justice.

After his work in Somalia was no longer possible due to sustained persecution by Somali authorities, Mr. Mumin left Somalia for the UK. While in the UK, he has continued his work with SJS, speaking out against the increasingly restrictive civic space environment and corruption among the upper echelon of Somali authorities. His relocation, however, has not spared him from repression attempts by powerful and corrupt actors who seek to silence him.

Earlier this year, Mr. Mumin received a letter from Taylor Hampton, a major London-based law firm, threatening him with a defamation suit if he did not withdraw social media posts that criticized their client, Premier Bank. The letter also accused Mr. Mumin of authoring news articles that revealed corrupt links between Premier Bank and Somali government officials, articles that Mr. Mumin denies writing. In an attempt to intimidate Mr. Mumin and pressure him to forfeit his right to freedom of expression, Taylor Hampton demanded an immediate response, with financially ruinous consequences to follow if he did not self-censor.

Mr. Mumin decided to fight back against this attempt to silence him. With partners at the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition and Good Law Project, Mr. Mumin sent a legal response to Premier Bank’s baseless claims and filed a complaint against Taylor Hampton with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the UK regulatory body for lawyers. The defamation threat against Mr. Mumin highlights the trend of using so-called SLAPP suits – Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation– by large corporations and foreign governments to engage in transnational repression, threatening to financially ruin human rights defenders for speaking out.

Journalists and human rights defenders must be protected from transnational repression, even when these threaten some with the legal veneer of a defamation suit. SJS and RFKHR also call on the SRA to investigate Taylor Hampton’s conduct and determine whether the firm fulfilled its legal and ethical obligations.

SJS representatives and members of the Mogadishu media community had the opportunity to engage with Ambassador Charles King, who recently assumed his role as the new UK Ambassador to Somalia.

“Welcome to Somalia — where democracy does not work and where media freedom does not exist,” said SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, in his opening remarks.

SJS expressed deep concern over the threats posed by both Al-Shabaab and the Somali Federal Government to press freedom, stressing the serious impact these threats have had on journalists.

“Journalists cannot operate in Al-Shabaab-controlled areas, while the Somali government has now adopted similar tactics to block media reporting. NISA officers are increasingly patrolling Maka al-Mukarama Road — the only road in Mogadishu where people once felt safe — and it is no longer safe now,” Bulbul added.

SJS also reported an increase in attacks in Somaliland. So far in 2025, SJS has documented over 80 cases of journalist arrests, restrictions, and other violations in Somalia and Somaliland.

A matter of particular concern raised by media directors during the meeting was that some Mogadishu media outlets “were bribed and coerced into signing agreements” that allegedly prohibited critical reporting on the disputed electoral body’s activities. These activities have included multiple reported incidents of kidnappings of vulnerable members of the local community and forced voter registration.

Similarly, forced evictions in Mogadishu are going largely unreported. Thousands of vulnerable families have been forcibly removed from their homes by armed government forces allegedly linked to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Journalists are now saying the government has promised “plot of land and money” to bribe certain media owners in exchange for suppressing coverage of these forced evictions.

SJS underscored that the recent attacks on journalists, arbitrary arrests, restrictions on reporting forced evictions, and forced voter registration in Mogadishu constitute human rights violations. SJS stresses that perpetrators should be held accountable regardless of their position or the weapons they possess.

SJS further noted that some journalists face pressure from their own media owners, who themselves have been compromised.

The outdated Somali Penal Code and the so-called Counter-Terrorism Bill remain major tools used to suppress reporting on security issues — all while Al-Shabaab militant group has intensified its terror attacks in and around Mogadishu.

SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin, welcomed the candid and constructive exchange between the UK Ambassador and the Somali media community as a valuable platform to address urgent press freedom concerns.

“This discussion was a rare opportunity for Somali journalists to speak directly and openly with an international partner about the daily realities we face. Press freedom in Somalia is under unprecedented pressure — from both armed groups and state institutions — and we need stronger international support to protect journalists, uphold the public’s right to know, and defend our democracy,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

Ambassador Charles King stated UK’s commitment to support free, safe, and independent journalism in Somalia.

“Powerful voices, empowering conversations. Today’s roundtable with Somali journalists shone a light on the progress and challenges in protecting #MediaFreedom. The UK proudly stands with Somalia press — free, safe, and independent journalism is vital for democracy,” Ambassador King posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Held in the divided city of Galkayo—a hotspot of inter-clan tensions and climate-driven displacement—the workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including journalists, social media influencers, clan elders, women leaders, youth activists, religious scholars, IDP representatives, persons with disabilities, and officials from both Puntland and Galmudug regional states.

Mudug, located in central Somalia, remains one of the most conflict-prone regions in the country. Divided between Puntland (north) and Galmudug (south), with Galkayo also split between the two, the region suffers from overlapping jurisdictions, governance disputes, and cyclical violence.

The worsening climate crisis—especially recurrent droughts—continues to deepen the region’s vulnerability. Water and pasture scarcity have triggered deadly clashes between communities, displaced thousands, and pushed many young people into irregular migration. Women and youth are disproportionately affected, with more than 75% of gender-based violence (GBV) cases reported in IDP settlements where psychosocial services are minimal or nonexistent.

SJS documentation shows Galkayo has been the second deadliest city for journalists in Somalia over the past decade, after Mogadishu. Crimes against journalists are rarely prosecuted, and impunity remains a serious concern.

The SJS/Baraarug workshop aimed to explore how local media and civic voices can support peace rather than perpetuate division.

Hassan Abdirahman Aden, Director of Media at Galmudug’s Ministry of Information and Culture, reflected on how local media in the past contributed to conflict by aligning with clan interests:

“At the beginning of the conflict in this region, media platforms were used to fuel tensions because they operated along clan lines. But today, we are witnessing a shift—local journalists are giving space to peace initiatives. The media no longer incites violence here. Instead, social media has become the new source of division,” he said.

Participants also raised concerns over the rise of unregulated social media content and influencers whose behavior risks inciting division.

Voices of Women, Youth, and Elders

Women participants shared powerful testimonies about their evolving role in peacebuilding.

Habiibo Mohamud Abdi, Chair of the Galkayo Women’s Peace Committee, said:

“Initially, women were excluded from peace talks. Clan elders didn’t see us as relevant negotiators. But later, when 13 women from each side—Galmudug and Puntland—were included at the table, real peace began. Women were the key to achieving Galkayo’s current stability.”

Clan elder Abdukadir Ali Igal emphasized that most inter-clan fighting stems from disputes over land and resources:

“When we the clan elders say ‘go to war,’ youth follow. When we say ‘stop,’ they stop. The root causes are known to us, and the responsibility lies with us to decide between peace and war. That’s just the reality.”

But beyond clan dynamics, participants pointed to weak state institutions and widespread corruption as deeper structural causes of conflict.

Mohamed Sa’id Mohamud, a youth leader and co-founder of the Mudug Peace and Development Forum, highlighted the absence of state leadership:

“State collapse is why conflict keeps returning. Youth and women were excluded from the 2015 and 2016 peace agreements in Galkayo. However, in 2017, we youth forced our way in and joined hands across clan elders. That’s what led to the peace we enjoy today.”

Call to Action: Women’s Rights & Civic Media

MP Ibaado Yusuf Ahmed, one of the few women sitting in the Galmudug State Assembly, urged the media to do more in promoting civic education and gender equality:

“Women are still denied equal participation. Even in parliament, it’s a struggle. I call on the media to amplify women’s voices and support civic advocacy.”

The Secretary General of SJS, Abdalle Mumin stated:

“In a region marked by division and hardship, the role of independent, responsible journalism has never been more critical. Through our Baraarug Campaign, we are empowering journalists, women, and youth to become catalysts for peace, inclusion, and the defense of civic rights. Only by working together can we build a stable and just for all Somalis.”

The Baraarug Campaign, led by SJS in collaboration with Somali civil society groups, aims to amplify youth and women’s voices in civic life using digital platforms and creative storytelling. It aligns with the Dutch Human Rights Policy, promoting civic awareness, gender equality, and freedom of expression—core values for democratic accountability.

Launched in December 2024, Baraarug empowers young Somalis to express themselves, advocate for inclusion, and mobilize both local and international solidarity for positive change.

More information about Baraarug visit our dedicated webpage: www.sjsyndicate.org/baraarug

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Mahad Salad was initially appointed as NISA chief on 26 May 2022 but was dismissed on 4 April 2024 following numerous allegations of targeted attacks on media institutions, civil society groups, and minority communities, as reported by the media. Sadly no investigation was made into his crimes. He was reappointed on 1 June 2025 and officially assumed office Saturday 14 June.

Targeted Crackdown on SJS and Independent Media

On 10 October 2022, NISA agents raided the offices of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) in Mogadishu after staff had completed their workday. CCTV footage obtained by SJS shows the operation was led by a former Al-Shabaab defector employed by NISA.

On 11 October 2022, SJS Secretary-General Abdalle Ahmed Mumin was abducted at Mogadishu Aden Adde International Airport and held incommunicado for 11 days in an underground cell. During his detention, he survived torture and an assassination attempt. On 13 April 2024, Banadir Court froze SJS bank accounts, using leaked private information supplied by Premier Bank, a bank tied to the Somali government. Further,  NISA officers interrupted SJS women journalists’ training in Mogadishu in January 2024.

On 23 February 2023, Mumin was re-arrested by NISA and police officers under orders from Mahad Salad and in coordination with Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala. He endured 33 days of torture and mistreatment in secret facilities until he was released in late March 2023 and forced to leave the country.

Under Salad’s direction, journalists in Mogadishu and beyond were subjected to surveillance, arbitrary arrests, violence, and threats. SJS has documented the following incidents:

• 30 November 2022: Journalists at the People’s House (Federal Parliament) were threatened with death or imprisonment for questioning lawmakers about the Villa Rays hotel attack.
• 18 December 2022: UK-based Channel 4 correspondent Jamal Muhumed Osman, a Somali-British, was unlawfully detained and sent back by NISA agents while he was arriving for journalism assignment.
• 19 December 2022: NISA officers assaulted Arlaadi Media reporter Mohamed Nur Mohamed inside the Parliament premises.
• 24 December 2022: SJS legal officer Abdirahman Hassan Omar and staff members were unlawfully detained at Mogadishu airport by NISA agents under Mahad Salad en route to a journalist training in Hiiraan.
• 24 December 2022: Arlaadi Media editor Aweys Bashir Abdirahman was beaten near KM4 by suspected NISA agents.
• 10 February 2023: SJS legal adviser Abdirahman Hassan Omar was attacked by four armed men in a targeted assault. The attack occured in Bakaro market area controlled by NISA.
• 20 February 2023: Radio Kulmiye journalists Ali Elmi Salad and Sakariye Mohamed Salad were arrested and interrogated by NISA.
• 7 April 2023: NISA officer in-charge of the Mogadishu airport, Mahad Arab Dhiblawe issued public threats against SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin and journalists from Risaala Media following an interview Mr. Mumin gave to the radio in relation to his arrest and kidnapping by NISA in Mogadishu. Days later, the journalist said he was forced to remove an interview with Abdalle Mumin following online attacks from the Somali Ministry of Information.
• In August 2023, SJS’s website and email systems were put offline by a wave DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks traced to IP addresses rented by criminal groups believed to be linked to NISA. The non-profit group Qurium which investigated the attacks and made its analysis indicated that it thwarted “nearly 20,000 IP addresses coming to SJS website with millions of requests” on August 18 and 19. The attack began on the heels of the kidnapping of SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul by NISA in Mogadishu.
• On 17 August 2023, SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, was kidnapped by NISA and police agents and held for 56 days after exposing police corruption.

Expansion of Abuses Beyond Media: Extortion and Extrajudicial Killings

Journalists and editors have reported to SJS how insiders working as informants within media houses monitored and threatened journalists critical of NISA. This has forced many Somali journalists into self-censorship or exile to avoid persecution.

Between May 2022 and April 2024, a new tactic emerged involving the use of bribes and social media trolls to discredit, harass, and threaten journalists and civil society actors. These troll networks—funded through covert channels by NISA—have systematically targeted government critics, often smearing their reputations or inciting violence against them online.

In some cases, journalists were also threatened by Al-Shabaab operatives after reporting critically on NISA leadership, illustrating the dangerous double-bind facing independent media in Somalia—caught between state repression and extremist threats.

In February 2024, journalists reporting on the murder of UK-trained Somali air traffic controller Abdinasir Muse Dahable—who was found murdered after being tortured—were threatened by NISA officers linked to Mahad Salad. The killing was linked to NISA officers under Salad’s command, one of whom fled to Nairobi. Five men who were also arrested by NISA following the Dahable’s death were reported to have endured torture under NISA.

No independent investigation has been carried out to date; however, local journalists told SJS they were threatened with “death or disappearance” if they spoke about the case.

On 18 March 2024, a Turkish drone strike in Afgoye based on faulty NISA intel killed 23 civilians. Amnesty International investigation found that civilians killed in the strikes included 14 children, five women and four men. Another 17 civilians were injured in the strikes: 11 children, two women and four men. All are from the marginalized Gorgaarte clan. Families seeking justice were threatened by NISA and accused of terrorist affiliations. Mahad Salad aides also threatened reporters on the ground who were investigating the incident.

SJS reiterates that holding Mahad Mohamed Salad accountable would be a critical step toward ending the entrenched culture of impunity—not only for attacks on journalists, but also for the widespread abuses inflicted on Somalia’s most vulnerable communities during his tenure—thereby contributing to lasting peace, stability, and the restoration of the rule of law in the country.

“Instead of holding him accountable, the Somali government has rewarded Mahad Mohamed Salad with his crimes, greenlighting more abuses against journalists and marginalized communities,” said SJS President Mohamed Ibrahim. “We urge the Somali government to immediately review this decision, remove Salad, and prosecute him. His victims deserve justice and protection. He should not be allowed to rule with terror again.”

“We also call on the international community, including press freedom and human rights organizations, to speak out and support accountability efforts—those who suffered under his leadership are still waiting for justice,” Mr. Ibrahim added.

The raid was carried out by armed members of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in an apparent attempt to remove an interview deemed critical of the disputed federal electoral commission.

According to two journalists who spoke to SJS, at around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, 12 June, fourteen armed NISA officers arrived at the Himilo Somali TV studio on Maka Al-Mukarama Road. Eight officers entered the premises while six remained stationed at the gate. The journalists, who were present inside the studio at the time, said the armed men terrorized the staff. The journalists locked themselves inside an office and refused to open the door. The NISA agents then contacted the station’s manager who were not inside at the time and demanded the removal of an interview broadcast earlier that morning.

In the interview seen by SJS, a young man revealed he had been “abducted from the street by armed men affiliated with the disputed electoral commission” in Mogadishu and was “forcibly registered as a voter without his consent”. The man expressed frustration, saying he felt “powerless and later tore up the registration documents” in protest.

A senior manager at Himilo Somali TV told SJS that the NISA agents also demanded the contact information of the young man interviewed—information the station refused to provide. The officers eventually left the studio but threatened to track down the television editor.  At the time of publication, the interview, which SJS had reviewed, remained available online.

This raid is not an isolated incident. It is part of an ongoing pattern of attacks targeting media outlets and journalists perceived as critical of the electoral commission.

The commission members were appointed in late November 2024 by the council of the ministers, and in December, they announced the selection of Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, a close ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, as their chairman. Multiple sources confirm that Abdikarin holds dual Somali-American citizenship. His appointment and the commission’s voter registration activities have been strongly rejected by opposition groups and regional states, including Puntland and Jubbaland.

• On 5 May 2025, NISA agents raided a residential home and media studio in Mogadishu’s Shibis district belonging to journalists Bashir Ali Shire and Mohamed Omar Baakaay. The journalists had previously spoken out about the abduction of “vulnerable women and youth” and their forced registration as voters. The attack occurred one day after Farah Adani, the Commissioner of Mogadishu’s Karaan district and a known supporter of the president, publicly incited violence against journalists. Adani urged supporters to “take machetes and sticks,” “break the journalist’s bones,” and even demanded “bring him in handcuffs.” He also labeled the journalist a “drug addict” and “worse than terrorists.” Following the threats, Mohamed Omar Baakaay went into hiding. Adani, now a member of the president’s new political party, later issued a public apology.
• On 28 May, Turkish-trained Haramcad forces in Mogadishu’s Kaxda district targeted three journalists: Nuh Farah Mahad (Reporter, RTN TV), Mohamed Abdukadir (Cameraman, RTN TV), Mohamed Abdi Hassan (Reporter, Five Somali TV). The journalists were covering a protest led by local elders who had been excluded from the controversial voter registration process. Shortly after the elders’ press conference, the journalists were attacked by armed officers. They were detained for nearly an hour, threatened, and ordered to surrender their equipment. They were later released after a group of clan elders intervened. The journalists reported that NISA gunmen attempted to shoot at them with pistols. That same day, RTN TV reported that police were conducting door-to-door raids in Kaxda, forcing residents to register as voters.
• In another incident on 26 May, journalists from multiple media outlets were attacked while reporting in Kaxda on the alleged abduction of local laborers by NISA. These laborers—primarily porters and construction workers—were lured with promises of employment, then locked up and forcibly registered as voters, according to media reports.
• A similar occurrence took place at Bakara Market, where journalists were threatened and had their equipment confiscated while documenting cases of alleged forced voter registration in May. Several street vendors and shop owners reported being abducted by NISA and compelled to register against their will, media reported.
• During this month (June 2025), media continued to report increasing incidents of forced voter registration affecting ordinary citizens—including students, teachers, and pedestrians. Victims report being stopped in public and having their photos taken without consent. Affected areas include Bakara Market, neighborhoods in Hodan District, and along Industrial Road, which connects to Dayniile, Yaaqshiid, and Huriwa districts.

SJS attempted to contact Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan for comment, but he was unavailable.

“The ongoing intimidation, raids, and threats against independent journalists and media outlets in Mogadishu who dare to report critically on the disputed voter registration process represent a dangerous escalation in the crackdown on press freedom in Somalia,” said Abdalle Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

“Targeting journalists for exposing voter manipulation and abuse of power is not only unlawful—it undermines democratic principles, silences the voices of the Somali people, and erodes public trust in the system. We call on those involved to immediately end these attacks, hold all responsible parties accountable, and allow the media to report on violations freely and independently,” adds Mr. Mumin.

If left unchallenged, this move risks enabling the whitewashing of grave human rights violations across the country.

On Saturday, 31 May 2025, SJS observed media reports indicating that the Minister of Women and Human Rights had began the selection of the members of the yet-to-be-formed NHRC. This body, according to the Provisional Constitution, is to be established by the Federal Parliament, not by the President’s Office or a cabinet minister.

It is deeply concerning that Minister Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, acting under instructions from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, proceeded this process without transparency and legal clarity thereby violating both national laws and international norms.

SJS reiterates the urgent need for a genuinely independent National Human Rights Commission, as articulated in Article 41 of the Provisional Constitution, which states:
“The Federal Parliament shall establish a Human Rights Commission that is independent of State control, and has adequate resources to carry out its functions effectively.”

The Constitution also states what functions this commission is going to undertake and it states “The functions of the Human Rights Commission (NHRC) shall include the promotion of knowledge of human rights, setting implementation standards, monitoring rights violations, and investigating alleged abuses.”

In addition, Law No. 18 of 2016, enacted on 14 August 2016, provides the legal framework for the Somalia National Human Right Commission, emphasizing its “independence from government control, transparency, and autonomy in decision-making.”

Contradictions in the Current Process

Despite these clear legal provisions, the current process was initiated by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, through Minister of Women and Human Rights, Khadija Al-Makhzoumi, without any legal basis or public participation. Individuals—many with ties to government ministries or personal connections to top officials—were invited for a so-called examination, without a publicly announced or merit-based selection procedure.

This is not the first irregularity.  In December 2023, the same ministry sent emails calling for NHRC applications via email (seen by SJS) and has been reported by the media. However, many qualified applicants reported receiving no response. Later, they discovered through the media that certain individuals had already been selected without public vetting or due process.

Why is the government pushing this now?

Somalia has never had an independent national human rights commission. For years, federal authorities in Mogadishu have delayed or resisted the establishment of a credible NHRC. The process has been plagued by political interference, lack of transparency, and non-compliance with constitutional and international obligations.

This move comes at a time of intense political instability and fragmentation in Somalia. The federal government’s relations with Puntland and Jubaland have deteriorated. Meanwhile, unilateral constitutional amendments and electoral reforms are being pushed forward by President Hassan Sheikh’s administration. Simultaneously, attacks on journalists, human rights defenders, and civilians by both the government and Al-Shabaab have increased.

Establishing a government-controlled NHRC in this volatile context would not serve justice—it would only legitimize repression, whitewash abuses, and shield violators from accountability.

SJS reminds the Somali government—particularly the Ministry of Women and Human Rights and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud—that the NHRC must be formed in line with international norms, notably the Paris Principles, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993, and reinforced by the Kigali Declaration (2003) of the African Union.

The Paris Principles emphasize:

• Transparent and participatory selection processes involving civil society, academia, and human rights organizations.
• Merit-based selection of the commission members grounded in integrity and commitment to human rights.
• Public calls for applications, background checks, and open vetting.
• Independent, pluralistic selection committees free from political influence.
• Parliamentary oversight and legal grounding to ensure independence and legitimacy.

Similarly, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Resolution 31 requires that NHRIs: (a) Be established by constitutional or legislative mandate; (b) Be independent of government control; (c) Have a broad, actionable mandate, including powers to investigate, report, and recommend action; (d) Be financially autonomous.

What we witnessed on Saturday in Mogadishu stands in direct violation of all these standards.  SJS calls on the Federal Government of Somalia to immediately halt the ongoing process and restart the formation of the NHRC in full compliance with Article 41 of the Provisional Constitution and international standards.

SJS makes the following recommendations:

• The Somali government must reform the election process and ensure it is legally grounded, publicly communicated, and free from political interference in any form.
• As requires by the Constitution, the Parliament must establish an Independent Selection Committee and include credible and trustworthy representatives from civil society, minority groups, academia, and legal experts with clean background.
• The Parliament must ensure transparent vetting and appointment procedures, and base appointments on objective, merit-based criteria with public oversight.
• The federal government must guarantee NHRC independence and the commission must operate free from government control or political manipulation.
• The Parliament must ensure oversight to ensure that all appointments must be reviewed and confirmed by the Federal Parliament following broad consultations with civil society.
• The selection committee must prevent rights abusers from involvement in the committee and individuals implicated in human rights violations must be barred from participating in the selection process or serving on the commission.

SJS Call to Somali Civil Society

SJS urges independent Somali civil society organizations to take a proactive role in advocating for a credible, inclusive, and transparent NHRC formation process. Somalia deserves a national human rights institution that defends victims and holds all actors accountable, including the state.

SJS Call to the International Community

SJS also call on international partners, and development organizations to closely monitor this process and ensure that any support provided aligns with international human rights standards and promotes a genuinely independent NHRC.

“This flawed process of the selection of the National Human Rights Commission can and must be corrected. SJS affirms that a credible, independent National Human Rights Commission is far better than a politicized, government-controlled one. Somalia needs an National Human Rights Commission that protects the rights of its people—not one that enables impunity,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

On the night of Friday 30 May, armed officers from Wanla-Weyn Police Station raided the privately owned Radio Wanlaweyn FM and arrested its director, Ismail Khalif Ahmed. The arrest followed the station’s publication of a report that exposed alleged forced “payments demanded” by the Wanla-Weyn district administration from the local community under the pretext of funding the construction of Wanla-Weyn Hospital. According to the now-deleted report on Radio Wanlaweyn FM’s Facebook page, local residents resisted paying because they lacked trust in the district authorities.

Speaking to SJS, Ismail confirmed that he was arrested under the orders of Wanla-Weyn District Police Commissioner Isak Abdulle and District Commissioner Abdukadir Mohamed. He was held overnight in a police cell, where he was subjected to threats and interrogation.

Ismail said he was warned that he “would remain in jail unless the report was taken down and a public apology issued”. As a result, Radio Wanlaweyn FM removed the report about the forced payments as well as the news item about Ismail’s own arrest.

When SJS inquired why the report on Ismail’s arrest had also been deleted, Ismail confirmed that police had specifically demanded its removal.

On 31 May, Radio Wanlaweyn FM published an apology on its Facebook page stating: “Regarding the post we shared on Facebook last night, we offer our sincere apologies to anyone who felt offended. Our intention was to correct things and bring progress, not to cause harm to anyone in particular. We are genuinely sorry if some people interpreted it differently.”

Both Police Commissioner Isak Abdulle and District Commissioner Abdukadir Mohamed failed to respond to SJS’s inquiries.

Abdulle is reportedly part of the EU-trained Darwish police unit deployed by the South West State. Wanla-Weyn, one of the eight districts of Lower Shabelle, remains a conflict-prone town located on the road between Afgoye and Baidoa. The area has witnessed recurrent clashes between rival clan militias with increased gunmen setting up illegal roadblocks, and continued activity by the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Separately, on Wednesday 28 May, Turkish-trained Haramcad forces in Mogadishu’s Kaxda district targeted three journalists: Nuh Farah Mahad (reporter, RTN TV), Mohamed Abdukadir (cameraman, RTN TV), and Mohamed Abdi Hassan (reporter, Five Somali TV).

The journalists were covering a protest by local elders who had been excluded from the controversial voter registration process recently launched by the federal government in Mogadishu. According to interviews conducted by SJS, the journalists were attacked shortly after leaving the elders’ press conference.

Armed Haramcad officers detained the journalists for nearly an hour, threatened them, and demanded they hand over their equipment. A group of clan elders intervened, allowing the journalists to escape.

In another incident on 26 May, journalists from multiple outlets were attacked in the same district while reporting on the alleged abduction of local laborers by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA.

The laborers, mostly porters and construction workers, were initially told they would be offered jobs, only to be locked up and forcibly registered as voters.

Journalists said they were forced to flee when gunmen from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) attacked them with pistols. On the same day, RTN TV reported heightened tensions as police conducted door-to-door raids in Kaxda, forcing residents to register as voters.

A similar incident occurred in Mogadishu’s Bakara Market, where journalists were threatened and had their equipment confiscated while gathering evidence of forced voter registration in the city’s main market. Journalists said street vendors and shop owners had been abducted by NISA officers and compelled to register as voters against their will.

“The increasing pattern of unlawful arrests, threats, and censorship targeting journalists reporting on electoral processes and corruption is deeply alarming. We strongly condemn these recent attacks including the raid on Radio Wanlaweyn FM and the arrest of Ismail Khalif Ahmed on Friday,” said Abdalle Mumin, the Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

“The use of security forces to silence critical reporting and intimidate journalists in Mogadishu and Lower Shabelle not only undermines media freedom but also exposes the government’s lack of tolerance for transparency and accountability,” Mr. Mumin added “We call for an immediate end to such violations and for all officials and security personnel involved to be held accountable.”

The meeting brought together press freedom advocates, representatives from International Media Support (IMS), officials from the Ministry of Information who have been targeting journalists including SJS, and members of the diplomatic community.

Participants voiced alarm over the increasing repression targeting Somali journalists, particularly those based in Mogadishu, and the broader erosion of press freedom across the country.

The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expressed grave concern over the escalating attacks on journalists, SJS members, and independent media houses. These attacks have intensified following public threats issued by government officials from the police and the the Ministry of Information.

“Since the statement by the Minister of Information Daud Aweis Jama and the Mogadishu Police Commissioner, Moalim Mahdi on 6 March 2025, attacks on journalists have significantly increased. Press freedom is dying in Somalia. We are deeply concerned that the Somali government—specifically the Ministry of Information, police forces, and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA)—is deliberately targeting journalists for their independent reporting,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights, during the meeting.

Reporting on security issues including threats posed by Al-Shabaab terror group, government corruption and human rights abuses remain a red line for journalists in Somalia, particularly in Mogadishu.

The 6 March statement by Minister Daud Aweis and Mogadishu Police Commissioner Mahdi Omar Muumin (known as Moalim Mahdi who is also an ex-defector of Al-Shabaab), which openly threatened “severe punishment” media outlets against publishing any reporting related to security has triggered a new wave of suppression.

Participants also highlighted the growing intimidation of journalists working for state media in Mogadishu, many of whom have faced threats, suspensions, and dismissals for critical reporting or expressing independent views.

Serious concern was raised regarding threats against women journalists, including threats of sexual violence and other security risks, which have become increasingly common.

The diplomatic community was urged to stand in support of press freedom advocacy and to take meaningful steps to ensure the safety and protection of Somali journalists.

Between 1 January and 30 April 2025, a total of 46 journalists were arrested or detained across Somalia, according to SJS documentation. Journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabaashe was killed in Al-Shabaab bombing in Mogadishu on 18 March. Additionally, two journalists were kidnapped and have since disappeared in Lower Shabelle, Southwest State. Both government forces and Al-Shabaab have contributed to an increasingly hostile environment for the press, marked by physical attacks, arbitrary arrests, killings, and online censorship.

State security forces and police—many of whom are former Al-Shabaab defectors—were behind most of the raids, arrests, and intimidation incidents. NISA continued its practice of unlawful detentions and harassment, particularly in Mogadishu. Of the 46 arrests so far, 41 occurred in Mogadishu alone, underscoring how Mogadishu remains a dangerous place for journalists.

Reflecting today’s engagement, the SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin, thanked the diplomatic community for their efforts and reiterated a strong call for media freedom as a cornerstone of democracy, peacebuilding, and efforts to counter violent extremism.

“I take this opportunity to remind Somalia’s international partners that there can be no democratic Somalia unless we have a strong and independent media, and the international community must act to defend free media. Accountability is key to ending this cycle of violence subjected to the journalist community in Somalia including SJS members. Let us make no mistake: those who target journalists must be held accountable, no matter how powerful they are or whether they command armed groups,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

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The symposium, titled “About the Disappearance of a World“, focused on the critical responsibilities of aid and human rights organizations in addressing war, disasters, migration, the climate crisis, and the role of today’s media and journalists as frontline defenders and witnesses.

SJS Secretary-General Abdalle Mumin participated as a panelist, emphasizing that the climate crisis is not just an environmental concern, but also a manifestation of historical and ongoing global power imbalances. He illustrated this with the example of the 2021 floods in Germany that claimed over 180 lives and triggered billions in recovery aid, compared to the 2022 drought in Somalia which killed 43,000 people—mostly children—with far less international attention.

“Yet climate-linked migration is often framed as a security threat in Europe and beyond, justifying walls, detention, and militarization, rather than addressing the root causes,” said Mr. Mumin.

Somalia remains one of the countries most severely affected by the climate crisis, with millions forced into displacement after losing their livelihoods. Floods and recurrent droughts continue to claim lives—mostly among vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Since 2022, SJS has partnered with Medico International to train more than 60 local journalists—including those from communities directly affected by floods in southern and central Somalia—to report on climate change and raise awareness around climate justice.

Journalists, including those within the SJS network, have also been victimized by recurrent droughts and floods, often compounded by ongoing conflicts.

This SJS-Medico International initiative not only engaged journalists and media professionals but also brought together local authorities, community leaders, and human rights defenders to seek solutions to this persistent crisis.

“Journalists play a critical role in shaping climate policy, raising awareness among local communities—including displaced persons—and assisting them in developing mitigation and adaptation strategies,” added Mr. Mumin. “When empowered, the media’s influence on public opinion is substantial, and how climate issues are reported and understood directly impacts the discourse and the solutions provided to affected communities.”

At the Frankfurt symposium, discussions also highlighted the massive budget cuts in climate action and the increasing securitization of climate-induced migration.

However, one powerful outcome was a renewed call for global solidarity and a reminder that hope must not be lost. Journalists were recognized for their role in ensuring that the world does not silently disappear.

“I believe our greatest task is to ask ourselves how we can be better humans—to each other, to our communities, to those forced to flee, and to our disappearing world,” Mr. Mumin added “In a time where rising seas erase coastlines, where families are displaced by conflict and climate, and where walls are built faster than bridges—it’s easy to feel hopeless. But journalists can, and must, carry this responsibility effectively.”

The final message concluded with Mr. Mumin reciting a verse from a song by the renowned Somali singer, the late Luul Jeylani, who more than three decades ago poignantly connected themes of love, sustenance, and human appreciation. She sang:

‘A man who plants sorghum in a pit, will reap it when the rains fall, he will not lose it.

It is only right to appreciate each other. The favor you showed me, I’ve cherished with.

Is it fair for me to cut ties with you?’

SJS extends its sincere gratitude to Medico International for organizing this impactful symposium. We also deeply appreciate the warm welcome and rich exchanges with fellow journalists, academics, NGO leaders, and solidarity groups during the event in Frankfurt.

Early Monday morning, around 1:30 a.m. on 5 May 2025, armed agents from the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) raided a residential house and media studio belonging to journalists Bashir Ali Shire and Mohamed Omar Baakaay in the Shibis district of Mogadishu.

The armed men, blindfolded and arrested journalist Bashir Ali Shire, who reports for MM Somali TV, and confiscated an external hard drive, CCTV storage equipment, and his phone from the residence.

Journalist Mohamed Omar Baakaay was not present during the raid, but the agents also arrested his brother, Anas Omar Mohamud. According to Bashir, the armed men threatened and intimidated him with pistols and took them to a secluded street corner in Shibis district, where they began beating Anas with the pistols and kicking him while interrogating him about his brother Mohamed’s whereabouts.

At dawn, the two were taken to the Shibis Police Station. They were later released around midday but were told to leave behind contact details in case they are needed again. Journalist Mohamed Omar Baakaay, who continues to publish on his Facebook page, has stated that he cannot return home due to fear of further violence. His passport, ID card, and mobile phone were among the items seized during the raid.

This incident occurred just a day after the Kaaraan District Commissioner, Farah Adani — an official appointed by the Mogadishu Mayor — publicly called for violence against journalist Baakaay.

On 4 May statement broadcast on multiple platforms, Commissioner Adani urged government supporters to “take machetes and sticks,” declaring they were authorized to “break the journalist’s bones and enter his house.” He went further to label the journalist a “drug addict and worse than the terrorists” and challenged his supporters to “bring him in handcuffs.”

On 3 May, journalist Baakaay published a video report on Facebook and YouTube claiming that “vulnerable women were being exploited for media publicity” during voter registration campaigns in Mogadishu, and that Mogadishu district commissioners “were under pressure to forcibly register people for disputed electoral purposes” in Mogadishu.

Baakaay has 260,000 followers across his Facebook page and 62,000 on YouTube which he uses for daily reporting.

Following this inciteful speech, threatening messages and images of critical journalists began circulating on social media, with some explicitly mentioning potential violence. SJS received a report from one journalist who was verbally threatened on the street with a warning of a ‘machete attack’ if he continued to publish criticism of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

While attacks on critical journalists have escalated in the past four months, SJS is particularly alarmed by the dangerous rhetoric of Karaan District Commissioner Farah Adani — a known political ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud— who reportedly commanded a defected police unit in Yaaqshiid during the Mogadishu violence in April 2021.

SJS expresses its deep concern on this new call to violence against journalists and we urgently call on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamed Ahmed Amiir, to immediately suspend Commissioner Farah Adani, and to launch an independent investigation into his threats and the raid of journalist Mohamed Omar Baakaay’s residence.  Such inflammatory actions not only endanger journalist journalist Baakaay but have also escalated the risk to other journalists in Mogadishu who report critically on the government.

“We condemn the raid on the journalists’ residence in Mogadishu on Monday, as we strongly denounce the dangerous call for violence made by the Kaaraan District Commissioner Farah Adani against journalist Mohamed Omar Baakaay. We particularly call for a full and independent investigation into the armed officers and individuals in civilian clothes who were involved in the raid,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

“While SJS has documented a disturbing rise in threats, intimidation, and physical attacks against journalists in Mogadishu in recent months, this specific call to violence by a government official in Mogadishu is already having a chilling effect on the work of independent journalists and poses a serious threat to freedom of expression in Somalia. The safety of journalists must be guaranteed, and officials inciting violence against the press, including Farah Adani must be held accountable to prevent further deterioration of press freedom and democratic discourse,” Mr. Mumin adds.