#STATEOFPRESSFREEDOM
:
@sjs_Somalia
documented the arbitrary detention of 2️⃣5️⃣ journalists, many of whom faced persecution and judicial harassment simply for carrying out their professional duties or advocating for media freedom.
👉🏿 1️⃣ prominent journalist was killed in 2023;
We are shocked and saddened by the killing of our colleague, Mohamed Isse Koonaa who reports for
#UniversalTV
in
#Mogadishu
's double car bombings today. Two other colleagues: Reuters photojournalist & VOA freelancer are injured & are in the hospital.
More updates to follow!
Journalists in
#Hargeisa
stage a public protest demanding release of ALL journalists detained on Wednesday.
@sjs_Somalia
stands in solidarity w
#Somaliland
journalists & calls prez
@musebiihi
to free jailed journalists & allow a medical attention for those who are unwell.
Breaking:
@Cabdalleaxmed
,
@sjs_Somalia
SG has just been re-arrested at Mogadishu airport, while trying to travel to Nairobi for medical reasons.
@Cabdalleaxmed
says, “He has a severe kidney pain and will start a hunger strike if further detained.”
#Rwandan
Authorities should ensure an independent investigation into John Williams
#Ntwali
’s death.
- Joint Statement by 90 Civil Society Organizations and Press Associations
Congrats to our journalists who were recently trained w various topics incl. elections and fake news & reporting political news in conflict areas thanks to
@US2SOMALIA
for providing these timely trainings and certificates.
#SomaliJournalists
#Somalia
Breaking: The Secretary General of
@sjs_Somalia
@Cabdalleaxmed
has been arrested by the security forces in Mogadishu. The arrest follows after a group of armed NISA officers led by the commander of Hawl-wadag district "Shakiib", raided SJS office. Yesterday evening
⚠️ALERT: Armed
#Somaliland
police officers raided
#HornCableTV
HQ in
#Hargeisa
& detained 4 other journalists incl. a female reporter Nashad (pictured). This now brings total number of journalists in detention to 13.
Police also confiscated equipment from the TV studio.
#BREAKING
: Mogadishu airport authorities blocked
@sjs_Somalia
SG
@Cabdalleaxmed
from traveling outside the country today. Abdalle who was freed on Sunday has been feeling unwell and was planning to see his doctor in Nairobi.
No explanation was provided.
📢 Twitter Space Announcement 📢
Join us tonight for an important discussion on the case of journalist
@AlinurSalaad
. 📰✨
🗓️ Date: Tonight 🕗 Time: 11:00 PM EAT / 9:00PM London Time.
🔊 Topic: Ali Nur Salad Case: Press Freedom & Accountability.
.
@sjs_Somalia
is concerned about
#Busharo
's safety and well-being, as she is being held incommunicado at Hargeisa Central Police Station with limited access to her family and legal representation.
We strongly condemn the beating, harassment and confiscation of equipment against female reporter: Fardowso Mohamud Sahal (pictured) by
#Hamarweyne
police commissioner and his soldiers today at Daljirka Dahsoon
#Mogadishu
.
.
@sjs_Somalia
condemns the arrest of
@goobjoog
reporter Abdikarin Ali Adan and cameraman Abdirizak Fagase as they were covering an opposition protest in
#Mogadishu
today. They are currently held at Hodan police station.
We call for their immediate freedom.
#Somalia
On Monday 29 Nov., armed police officers led by
#Puntland
's Qardho police commander, Omar Hirad Katun, raided the home & office of Habibo Ladan Abdi, a female journalist reporting for SBC TV for her coverage on Qardho residents commenting on the security tension in Bosaso.
#Somalia
: Armed NISA officers stopped Universal TV reporters: Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul & Khalid Maki at gunpoint as they were leaving the scene of violent protest in Karan district
#Mogadishu
today. (1/2)
Breaking:
@SoPoliceForce
forcefully arrested
@sjs_Somalia
SG
@Cabdalleaxmed
at Jazeera hotel a little while ago. The police did not show a warrant of arrest or nor stated reasons for the arrest. Its not yet known where he was taken
We are extremely concerned by the continued detention of journalist Kilwe Adan in undisclosed location in Garowe for a week now. He was detained by
#Puntland
police on the evening of 27 Dec. We call for Puntland authorities to immediately free him.
#Congrats
to Abdishakur Abdullahi (Shaasha) for the climate change reporting award provided by
@UKinSomalia
. Hailing from a marginalised communities, Abdishakur was among journalists trained by
@sjs_Somalia
through
@CanHCKenya
-supported initiative in October last year in
#Jowhar
.
.
@sjs_Somalia
joins in solidarity with
#Somali
media fraternity as they've gathered this afternoon in
#Mogadishu
to demand the unconditional release of
@Goobjoognews
journalist Abdiaziz Gurbiye who was arrested on on Tuesday 14 April.
🚨CAUGHT ON CAMERA: This is how authorities in Mogadishu intimidate journalists doing their job.
Himilo TV reporter Nur Abdirahman was recording a piece to camera when police commander Isaq Mohamed Isse, known as Faratol, approached in a police vehicle. He can be clearly heard
Today is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
#IDEI2020
.
We remember and mourn for our colleagues who were slain in the line of duty in the past four years.
11 journalists were killed in
#Somalia
since 2017.
#WeRememberTheirNames
#EndImpunity
We call for the Ministry of Information of the Federal Government to review its directive and ensure that the rights of journalists and the freedom of media is not unduly restricted.
#FreedomOfExpression
is to allow journalists to investigate and report critically on the efficiency and probity of election administration as a means to promote credibility and efficiency in
#Somalia
elections.
We welcome the unconditional release of Radio Barawe staff: journalist Osman Bahar and his colleague Fuad Shoble. We call for
#Barawe
police to cease harassment and threats against this minority-owned radio station & its staff.
Police have reportedly started interrogating our colleague
@sjs_Somalia
Secretary of Info. & Human Rights
@MohaBulbul
about his report revealing police corruption at the
@EUCAPSOM
supported training seminar without the presence of lawyers. This is a breach of law and is a
On Tuesday morning, plain-clothed
#NISA
officers & armed police officers detained 4 journalists: 2 Radio Kulmiye reporters (Ali Elmi Salad and Zakariye Mohamed Salad) & 2 Dalsan TV journos (Abukar Ahmed Hassan & Abdirizak Ali) on their way to cover the protests
#Mogadishu
Join
@Bandhig_Forum
on Wed 10pm EAT 5th Apr 2023 as
@sjs_Somalia
SG
@Cabdalleaxmed
will be speaking LIVE to the world to discuss persecution & the routine detention he faced. He will also talk about human rights violations he witnessed as well Freedom of Speech in Somalia.
This week, we're having an open discussion about the imprisonment against
@Cabdalleaxmed
, Freedom of Speech in Somali Journalists threats, abuses power, distortion of the truth as in censoring.
Senior Journalist
@mdeeq16
will moderate the session. Join us And assert your question
Congrats to
@sjs_Somalia
SG
@Cabdalleaxmed
& 15 other journos for their wonderful collection of stories in the book "Hounded: African Journalists in Exile" launched this afternoon in Nairobi.
#Somalia
& Africa needs brave journalists like you. Thanks to
@KASonline
for support.
On day 3 of
#FreedomOfExpression
training, renowned former journalist and former chair of
#Somali
civil society coalition, Diini Mohamed gives a presentation on importance of Access to Info. for journalists & for public interest.
@UNSomalia
@Cabdalleaxmed
#Breaking
: Benadir regional court sentenced Abdiaziz Gurbiye 6 month jail term n 5 million Ssh in fine on Article 328 of the penal code 4 publication of false news. He was taken to central Prison in Mogadishu.
@sjs_Somalia
rejects court’s decision n calls 4 his immediate release.
(THREAD)
During today's court hearing, our defense lawyers have asked the Banadir Regional Court to summon the following govt officials who are involved in the case against
@sjs_Somalia
SG
@Cabdalleaxmed
A huge explosion in
#Mogadishu
has severely damaged
@sjs_Somalia
offices this evening.
We confirm all our officials & staff are safe. Complete chaotic moment in the area. Praying for safety for all.
#Somalia
#HappeningNow
: Journalists, editors, representatives from the Media, CSOs,
@sjs_Somalia
and
@SomaliMedia13
gather at Mogadishu’s Mubaarak Hotel to protest against the Draconian media bill imposed on the media and demand the bill be repealed.
#Repealit
@sjs_Somalia
is heartbroken about the unfortunate death of the two journalists. Hodan was the producer, presenter and founder of
@IntegrationTV
focusing social matters while Sahal was devoted advocate for the voiceless communities.
Update: Our training secretary Hanad Ali Guled has been released without charges. However, Our Secretary General
@Cabdalleaxmed
remains in jail under the orders of the Hirshabelle interior minister Mohamed Ali Aadle.
@muthokimumo
@IFEX
More updates will follow
When contacted,
#NISA
did not respond and the police officials at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) said they were not aware of the arrest nor was he detained at the CID.
.
@sjs_Somalia
welcomes the release of 4 journalists: Husein Ateye Gaafane (Universal TV); Abdillahi Dahir Waeys (SAAB TV); Ahmed Diriye Iltire (SBC TV) & Shu'eyb Mohamed Kahin (Bulsho TV) who were in detention in
#Borame
#Somaliland
since 16 Jan 2021. (1/3)
BREAKING:
@Goobjoognews
journalist Ali Adan Mumin has been released from jail moments ago, according to his lawyer and his employer. Mr Mumin has been in police custody for 4 days without charges.
@sjs_somalia
welcomes Mumin's release.
@IFEX
Tomorrow
@sjs_Somalia
SG
@Cabdalleaxmed
will be joining a panel discussion on civil society space in
#Somalia
hosted by
@ColumbiaLaw
as part of its Third Annual Human Rights Week Symposium.
The event will be live from 12:15pm EST / 7:15pm EAT on Thurs. March 24.
#SaveTheDate
Journalists who cover traumatic events such as violence, disasters & other situations involving human pain often require to know how to care themselves & support each other. Our safety training supported by
@CanHCKenya
, included a trauma session for journalists.
#CFLI
#CanadaFund
.
@sjs_Somalia
strongly condemns the shooting, beating, detention & confiscation of equipment by the police officers in Wadajir, Mogadishu, on Monday against two
@ArlaadiMnetwork
journalists who were covering impact of roads blocked by the rains due to lack of maintenance.
NISA waxay u gudbisay Xafiiska Xeer Ilaaliyaha Guud ee Qaranka, gungaarka baarista Gal dacwadeedka Haruun Macruuf, si uu uga guto talaabooyinka sharciga ah ee ku habboon.
#NISA
On 24 Nov.,
#Mogadishu
’s Hodan district police officers blocked and even used a live bullet against a group of journalists covering a suicide car bomb. Officers who were securing the site threatened to shoot journalists if they did not leave.
.
@sjs_Somalia
welcomes release of
#RadioBarawe
journalist Osman Aweys Bahar after 4 days in arbitrary detention by
#Somalia
's SW police.
Mr. Bahar told
@sjs_Somalia
he is now back to work. Also Radio Barawe is back to air.
Thank all those who supported our advocacy efforts.
Kilwe was removed from his cell in the prison and was taken to a small room where judges announced the verdict where the only other person in attendance was the military prosecutor. Kilwe’s lawyer was not allowed to attend nor was his family.
We are pleased to confirm the freedom of three
@sjs_Somalia
staff: Mohamed Bulbul, Hanad Ali Guled and Mohamed Bishar after they were detained at
#Baidoa
airport earlier Wednesday.
We thank to ALL those who stepped in to ensure the freedom of our team. 👏🏿
Radio Hiigsi editor, Mohamed
#Abuuja
is in jail for 4 months and 13 days without charges. He was arbitrarily detained by
#NISA
on 7 March due to his critical article on security forces.
We call for
#Somalia
authorities to free
#Abuuja
& investigate those detained him.
@IFEX
The officers confiscated journalists’ camera before ordering to delete the footage they were recording. When they demanded explanation, 1 officer cocked pistol and threatened to shoot forcing the two
#UniversalTV
reporters to delete their footage. (2/2)
.
@sjs_Somalia
is deeply concerned about the politically motivated charges of attempted murder by
#Puntland
military court against freelance journalist Kilwe Adan Farah after he was held incommunicado in Garowe since 27 Dec.
#Somali
journalists and representatives from media houses gather to protest and call for
#freedom
of Radio Kulmiye journalist, Abdullahi Kulmiye Addow who's held at incommunicado detention since Saturday night 17th October by
#NISA
in
#Mogadishu
#Somalia
.
.
@sjs_Somalia
with the support of
@UNSomalia
today kicked off three-day training on Freedom of Expression for 30 journalists in
#Mogadishu
.
At the opening of the training on Wednesday, representatives from civil society, media directors and union officials made speeches.
.
@TheVillaSomalia
should instruct Attorney General to drop charges against
@Goobjoognews
journalist Abdiaziz Gurbiye who is out of jail on a bail given 18 April. He can't write about
#Covid19
making him impossible to practice his profession
.
@sjs_Somalia
SG
@Cabdalleaxmed
, accompanied by advocate Avv. Abdirahman Hassan & admin. officer Abdullahi Abdulle today met w
@SNU_University
rector, Prof Hassan Mahadallah.
#SNU
's faculty of journalism is among higher education institutions that train journalists.
#Somalia
Role of female journalists in the media isn't always appreciated. Through
#CanadaFund
@CanHCKenya
,
@sjs_Somalia
trains Amal Dahir, a young female journalist who covers sports for
@GoolFM
and uses her skills to promote peace and integration for
#Somali
youth.
#CFLI
Waxaan xog ku helnay in shalay wasaaradda Warfaafintu ay wacday xafiiska Xeer Ilaaliyaha Guud ee Qaranka taasoo Xeer Ilaalinta lagu wargeliyay inay la wareegaan Kiiska Xog Guud ee
@sjs_Somalia
@Cabdalleaxmed
oo maalintii 3aad u afduuban Wasaaradda Warfaafinta iyo NISA.
#ALERT
: Our colleague
@MohaBulbul
is still held at incommunicado detention since Thursday, August 17, when he was forcibly detained, beaten and harassed by plain-clothed
@HSNQ_NISA
men from his university campus in Mogadishu.
Yesterday (Monday) we received a call by police
On the evening of Feb 16th, 2020 gunmen shot dead 25-yrs-old
#Somali
freelance journalist, Abdiwali Ali Hassan in
#Afgoye
, 30KM south of
#Mogadishu
. He was returning from an assignment that day.
Now seven months after his death, family & friends are yet to get justice.
#Somalia
‘It is fantastic that Kilwe is now free and back with his family. However, it should be remembered that he was seized because of his media work, kept incommunicado in an illegal secret detention....
URGENT: We call
@SoPoliceForce
to respect press freedom & free
#M24
TV journalist, Salman Isak, who’s held while covering suicide bombing site in Elgabta junction
#Mogadishu
this morning. Police should return journalist's equipment immediately and stop harassing other reporters.
in 2019 Across
#Somalia
:
- 81 journalists physically assaulted;
- 53 journalists arrested (majority freed without charge);
- 3 journalists were wounded, 2 of them with gun shots;
- 7 media houses shuttered;
- 2 websites blocked
- Police blocked journalists more than 15 times
.
@sjs_Somalia
strongly condemns the violent attack on the privately-owned radio Mustaqbal Media, the beating of journalist Bashir Mohamud Yusuf and the confiscation of radio equipment by members of Somali police “Haramcad” unit in Mogadishu on Tuesday morning.
#ALERT
: M24 TV camera-journalist Ahmed Omar Nur (pictured) has been shot and injured by a police man while covering Hayat Hotel attack in
#Mogadishu
moments ago.
@sjs_Somalia
strongly protests this shooting. We demand accountability for this officer & protection of journalists.
#ALERT
⚠️
@sjs_Somalia
&
@SomaliMedia13
are concerned by Hargeisa-based
#Marodi
-Jeh Court's decision to allow police to remand 13 journalists in detention for another 5 days.
All were held in arbitrary detention since Wednesday as they were covering
#Hargeisa
prison gunfire. (1/3)
.
@sjs_Somalia
calls 4 members of int'l community & civil society to stand in solidarity w free press & protection of journos in
#Somalia
before, during & after election. Those responsible/known to have committed abuses against journos should not be allowed to get away with it.
BREAKING: An armed
#Somali
police officer attacks & briefly detains two
#Radio
Kulmiye journalists who were collecting vox-pops at
#Tabarunka
Junction,
#Hodan
District
#Mogadishu
on Monday.
This incident is 2nd one since last week when
@M_Farmaajo
publicly attacked journalists.
.
@sjs_Somalia
in partnership with
@Facebook
will be launching safety training for journalists across
#Somalia
today online.
The objective of the training is for journalists to understand how they can protect themselves
#Facebook
and continue to carry out their profession.
We arrived safely in
#Mogadishu
, together with a delegation of Government of
#Puntland
. Will take part in meeting aimed at solving the challenges to the implementation of the September 17 agreement. A sincere thank you to all who welcomed us @ the Aden Adde International Airport.
Independent journalist Jamal Farah Adan shot dead in Galkayo
#Puntland
.
@sjs_Somalia
condemns the heinous attack and calls for
@Plstatehouse
to immediately investigate and arrest the killers.
#Somalia
The hearing of the case will start shortly.
Our lawyers are already in the court.
This case is having a public interest. Many local civil society groups, media and even members of the Parliament have now convened at the court building.
@sjs_Somalia
condemns the arbitrary arrest of its Secretary General
@Cabdalleaxmed
and its training secretary
#Hanad
#Ali
#Guled
by Hirshabelle police in Jowhar around 10:00am from the hotel where
@sjs_Somalia
was conducting a training. This is the second incident since yesterday
#JUSTIN
: "The attack on radio Mustaqbal studio today is not a raid, it is a new offensive against free press in
#Somalia
. I call for all fellow journalists to stand united and in solidarity w Mustaqbal Media and its journalists," said
@Cabdalleaxmed
the SG of
@sjs_Somalia
Our colleague journalist Mohamed Isse Koonaa has been laid to rest today in a graveyard in
#Mogadishu
.
May you rest in peace & May Allah reward you with
#Jannah
! May your family find strength at this hard time.
Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.
Somali journalists unions & media houses associations under the umbrella of Somali Mechanism for the Safety of the Journalists (SMSJ) today condemned the latest violations against the freedom of the media and journalists in Somalia, incl. restrictions, threats and censorship
Arresting journos, confiscating equipment, intimidating at gunpoint & denying them access, just because journalists are reporting about protests govt does not want, is a blatant violation against
#PressFreedom
and a violation of the Constitution & all int'l laws-
@Cabdalleaxmed