The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) welcomes the decision by the Puntland Mudug prosecutor to drop the intimidation summons against the director of Radio Galkacyo, following calls by journalists—supported by SJS—to end the harassment. SJS also welcomes the lifting of the ban imposed on Radio Marka FM in the Lower Shabelle region.

On Saturday, 20 December, the Puntland Mudug Regional Prosecutor dropped the summons against the director of Radio Gaalkacyo following an advocacy campaign by local journalists, backed by SJS.

On 17 December, the Mudug Regional Prosecutor, Muxubo Faysal Axmed,issued a summonsordering Mohamed Abdul Aziz —director of the oldest community-owned radio station, Radio Gaalkacyo, based in Galkayo city— to appear before the Prosecutor’s Office. A copy of the summons received by SJS stated: "The Mudug Regional Prosecutor’s Office directs the Director of Radio Gaalkacyo, Mohamed Abdul Aziz, to appear before the Mudug Regional Prosecutor’s Office on 20/12/2025 at 10:00 a.m. to respond to a complaint filed with the Prosecutor’s Office by the Governor of Mudug Region, Faysal Sheikh Ali.”

After reporting to the Prosecutor’s Office, Mohamed told SJS that he was questioned and that the prosecutor also discussed the media advocacy campaign calling for the case to be dropped. He later said the prosecutor informed him that "the case had been discontinued”.

In the Lower Shabelle region, Radio Marka FM has resumed operations on 8 December. On 29 November, authorities in Marka, the capital of Lower Shabelle,ordered the closureof Marka FM, a privately owned radio station. According to the station’s founder and manager, Ahmed Omar, the closure order was issued by the Marka District Commissioner, Osman Muse, after the station reported ona gunfightbetween forces loyal to the district commissioner and those aligned with the head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Marka.

In Hirshabelle State, Somali Bantu journalist Sharif Shuriye Hashi of Universal Somali TV remains in police custody in Jowhar after beingarrestedat his home on 8 December. Sharif, who had been reporting critically on security issues and the livelihood situation of the local community, was arrested alongside his wife, Hamdi Muse Digow. The Hirshabelle’s Jowhar police initially accused Sharif of illegally marrying his wife, alleging that his clan, the Bantu, is regarded as "low caste.” Last Saturday, Sharif was brought before a court in Jowhar; however, no hearing took place because the prosecutors were on leave and are not expected to return until January 2026.

"We are pleased that Radio MarkaFM is back on air and that its journalists can now continue providing information to the public. We also welcome the decision by Puntland’s Mudug prosecutor to halt the intimidating summons issued last week against the director of Radio Gaalkacyo, our colleague Mohamed Abdul Aziz,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.

"We call on the Hirshabelle authorities to immediately free journalist Sharif Shuriye Hashi and his wife, and to end discrimination based on his clan and his work as a critical journalist in Jowhar. It is not the role of the authorities to decide who marries whom; instead, they should focus on addressing the worsening security situation in the region,” added Mr. Mumin.