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February 10, 2025 – Somalia –
Somali journalists Sharif Abdi and Omar Yusuf Mohamed (also known as Omar Guux) were released after being unlawfully detained by the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and a clan militia, respectively. Their detentions highlight ongoing concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Somalia.
Sharif Abdi, a freelance journalist, was arrested on January 25, 2025, by armed NISA officers who tracked his phone after raiding his home in Mogadishu’s Waberi district. He was held without a court order at Godka Jilaow, a notorious NISA detention facility, where he was interrogated about his critical reporting on Facebook, particularly posts criticizing NISA chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Sanbalolshe).
Omar Yusuf Mohamed was abducted by a clan militia in Lower Shabelle, a region in southern Somalia. The circumstances surrounding his detention remain unclear, but his release was confirmed by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).
Both journalists were freed on February 9, 2025, and have since been reunited with their families. Their releases were welcomed by press freedom organizations, but these incidents underscore the challenges faced by journalists in Somalia, where both state and non-state actors pose threats to media professionals.
The SJS continues to advocate for the protection of journalists and calls for accountability for those responsible for unlawful detentions and attacks on media workers. These events serve as a reminder of the need for robust safeguards to ensure the safety and freedom of the press in Somalia.
Reference –
Two journalists illegally held separately by NISA and clan militia freed
