Somali Journalist Detained and Assaulted After Exposing Armed Robbery by Uniformed Men

August 28, 2025 – Somalia – 

The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) reported that a woman journalist based in Mogadishu was arrested and physically assaulted after she exposed an armed robbery committed by uniformed personnel.

According to SJS, when the journalist challenged the authorities about the basis of her detention, she was grabbed by the neck and physically threatened by two armed officers. The assault underscores a deeply disturbing pattern in Somalia, where media professionals are increasingly targeted for reporting on abuses by those in positions of power.

SJS strongly condemned the incident, calling it an unlawful act that violates press freedom and underscores the precarious safety of journalists in Somalia. This case is not isolated: earlier in August, for instance, journalist Abukar Mohamed Keynan of Radio Risaala and TV was reportedly seized and beaten, including being struck with the barrel of a gun. Such occurrences highlight an alarming escalation of violence against Somali journalists.

The SJS’s coverage comes amid a broader crackdown on independent reporting in Mogadishu. Their statements reveal a disturbing environment in which journalists face physical threats and legal harassment simply for exposing criminal acts by uniformed actors.

This pattern not only endangers individual journalists but also undermines Somalia’s media freedoms and the democratic imperative of holding public authorities to account. The international community and local stakeholders must take these violations seriously. Press freedom defenders, advocacy groups, and international bodies should call for accountability, transparency, and the safe release of detained journalists. Without urgent action, such attacks on media professionals could severely erode free expression and the public’s right to know in Somalia.

reference – 

https://hornobserver.com/articles/3469/Mogadishu-Woman-Journalist-Arrested-and-Physically-Assaulted-After-Exposing-Armed-Robbery-by-Uniformed-Men-SJS