Journalists in Mogadishu face increased attacks and arrests ahead of a disputed 'local election'

The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is alarmed by the increased attacks and arrests faced by journalists in Mogadishu ahead of a disputed "local election,” as reporters say they feel unsafe reporting on the stories they witness including attacks in the Somali capital.

On 11 December, a group of journalists from local media outlets were covering twobomb explosionsin Mogadishu’s Dayniile and Daaru Salaam districts, when police briefly arrested them and confiscated their equipment, preventing the journalists from their right to access information.

The journalists—Ja’far Mohamed Jimale (reporter), Sumayo Ali Hussein (reporter), and Abdirahman Mohamed Ahmed (cameraman)—were reporting for Kalsan TV, while Iqro Abdullahi Abdirahman and her unnamed camera operator were covering the incident for the online news channel Hirasho TV. Iqro said she was held by a soldier who twisted her arm during the arrest. The journalists were taken to the Dayniile Police Station, where police officers warned them not to report on the bombings.

Journalists said one of the twoexplosionstargeted a local school in Dayniile neighborhood where an event related to the preparations for the disputed Mogadishu elections was taking place, killing at least one person and injuring several others. The second blast targeted another school in Daaru Salaam district, injuring an unknown number of people. Recently, Somalia’s Minister of Education, Farah Abdukadir,announcedthat schools would be used as polling stations for the vote scheduled for 25 December, despiteobjectionsfrom educational institutions citing serious security risks.

Separately, on 11 December, six reporters were briefly arrested by police and members of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Yaaqshiid district while reporting on a car accident that killed at least one person. Qasim Abdille Barrow and his colleague, cameraman Mohamed Adan of Somali Cable TV, said they were beaten with pistols before being arrested and having their equipment seized. Khadar Abdirahim Ibrahim of Himilo Media and his colleague, cameraman Abdirisak Haji Sidow, were also arrested and had their equipment confiscated.

Ali Yasin Ali, a cameraman with Somali Media Services (SMS), and Hussein Isse Mohamed, a reporter, told SJS that they were beaten with a gun by a soldier and briefly detained alongside Risaala TV cameraman Salman Abdirizak Shire, RTN TV cameraman Mohamed Abdukadir, Universal Somali TV reporter Abshir Abdullahi Amin, and Saab TV reporter Deeq Moalim Jinow.

Journalists in Mogadishu have reported increased pressure and threats from security agencies aimed at preventing coverage of terrorist attacks and local community complaints related to thecontroversial electionin the capital. Residents have repeatedly described incidents in which people wereabductedfrom the streets and forcibly registered as voters without their consent. Shooting incidents resulting in deaths have also been reported in the northern parts of the capital.

Journalists also told SJS that both bribery attempts and threats have been directed at media directors and journalists deemed critical of the government, including those working for international media outlets, in exchange for favorable coverage.

The disputed national election team has not responded to requests for comment.

"SJS condemns these acts of arbitrary arrests and detention, bribery and threats in which journalists were detained, their equipment seized, and they were prevented from reporting on matters of public interest in Mogadishu over the past weeks. We are also alarmed by the level of threats directed at critical reporters by the so-called independent electoral body, as Mogadishu faces serious security and economic challenges,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin. "These constitute a gross constitutional violation, depriving journalists of their right to access information and report freely—rights that, sadly, the Somali security forces, who are supposed to uphold them, have been ignoring.”

"We call on all those involved in these attacks to immediately stop. Journalists must be able to report on any incident occurring in their areas, whether or not those in power approve of the coverage,” added Mr. Mumin.