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May 09, 2026 – Somalia –
Journalists in Somalia have faced a series of arrests, assaults, and intimidation in Mogadishu following a recent wave of protests and reporting on forced evictions, with press freedom groups warning of an escalating crackdown on independent media.
According to reporting by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (NUSOJ), at least three journalists working for international and local outlets were detained and beaten by Somali security forces in Mogadishu on May 8, 2026. Among them was Mohamed Bulbul, a journalist associated with The Guardian, along with Abdihafid Nor Barre and Abdishakur Mohamed Mohamud. The group was reportedly taken from a restaurant in the capital by counter-terrorism police and intelligence agents before being assaulted and briefly held for questioning.
Witness accounts and media statements indicate the journalists were targeted in connection with their reporting on sensitive issues, including alleged abuses in detention and forced evictions in the city. The Somali Journalists Syndicate said the arrests and beatings were accompanied by threats, including warnings against continuing coverage of protests and political developments.
Separately, local media organizations reported a broader pattern of arrests in Mogadishu during the same period. At least five journalists were detained in a single day while covering forced displacement and eviction operations, with some also reporting confiscation of equipment and physical assault by police officers.
The Somali Journalists Syndicate said these incidents reflect a sustained effort to restrict reporting on governance issues, including land disputes, protests, and alleged human rights violations. The organization has documented dozens of similar violations in recent months, ranging from arbitrary arrests to intimidation and obstruction of reporting.
Press freedom advocates have expressed concern that the targeting of journalists is becoming increasingly linked to political tensions in the country, particularly ahead of planned demonstrations and a volatile political transition period. Critics argue that the use of security forces to detain reporters risks undermining constitutional protections for freedom of expression.
Authorities have previously defended some arrests by citing security concerns and alleged threats to public order, but media organizations say many of the detentions lack clear legal justification and are not followed by formal charges or transparent judicial procedures.
Somalia remains one of the most dangerous environments for journalists, with repeated reports of violence, intimidation, and impunity contributing to a climate of fear for media workers reporting on politics and security issues.
Reference –
https://allafrica.com/stories/202605070048.html
