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May 25, 2025 – Somalia –
Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly criticized the Somali government for its recent arrests of journalists in Mogadishu, calling it a direct attack on press freedom and democratic principles. His comments come in response to the detention of multiple journalists following their coverage of political unrest and anti-government sentiments.
Speaking out on May 24, 2025, the former president labeled the government’s actions as a “blatant violation” of journalists’ rights and the country’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression. He warned that the escalating crackdown on media professionals would erode public trust and damage Somalia’s international image.
The controversy erupted after security forces detained several journalists affiliated with local independent media outlets. According to local reports, these arrests were allegedly linked to the journalists’ reporting on civil protests and governance issues. Some of those detained were reportedly not informed of any formal charges, sparking concern among human rights organizations and press unions.
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who served as president from 2009 to 2012 and now leads the Himilo Qaran party, urged the government to release the detained journalists immediately and respect the role of the media as a cornerstone of a democratic society. He emphasized that silencing the press not only undermines Somalia’s hard-won democratic progress but also threatens to return the country to authoritarian practices.
His statement has resonated with media rights groups, both domestic and international, which have condemned the recent wave of arrests. Organizations like the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have echoed his concerns and called for urgent reforms to safeguard press freedoms.
The Somali government has not issued a detailed response to the criticism, but officials have previously claimed that certain journalistic activities are linked to threats against national security, claims media advocates view as attempts to justify censorship.
The situation underscores growing fears about shrinking civic space in Somalia, as political tensions rise ahead of key political developments.
Reference –
Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Accuses Government of Suppressing Journalists
