Galmudug State should free two local journalists arrested in Dhusamareb

Galmudug State should free two local journalists arrested in Dhusamareb

MOGADISHU, Somalia 20 December 2025– The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls on the Galmudug State authorities to immediately release two local journalists who werearrestedon Wednesday and Thursday respectively in Dhusamareb city.

On Wednesday night, 17 December, Galmudug police in Dhusamareb arrested journalist Abdullahi Abdi Hersi, known as Qorsheeye, who reports for Somali Cable TV and also publishes content on hisFacebookpage. Colleagues told SJS that Qorsheeye was arrested after he used aquotefrom a member of the Galmudug House of Assembly (Parliament), who accused the Dhusamareb mayor of "refusingto install street lighting in the city,” allegedly contributing to crime and insecurity.

Local journalists in Dhusamareb told SJS that the mayor of Dhusamareb ordered the arrest.

Faysal Ahmed Gurey, the local MP whose quote led to the journalist’s arrest, alsoaccusedthe Dhusamareb administration of using "state power to censor journalists” in the region.

On Thursday, 18 December, police arrested a second journalist, Abdullahi Abdukadir Nur known as Wadani, after he reported on the arrest of journalist Qorsheeye. Both journalists are currently being held at the Dhusamareb police station.

An official at the Galmudug Ministry of Information told SJS that efforts were underway to secure the journalists’ release. The official, who requested anonymity, further stated that local officials were directly involved in the arrests.

The office of the Dhusamareb mayor, Abdirahman Ali Mohamed, did not respond to requests for comment.

Dhusamareb is the seat of the Galmudug State administration. Last week, violent clasheseruptedin the city following thekillingof a local man, which media reported as a clan-related revenge attack. Protests calling for justice followed.

Local media also reported that sporadic gunfights between rival clan militias continue on the outskirts of Dhusamareb and in several other towns across Galmudug State. The ongoing violence has continued to claim civilian lives, including women and children.

President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoorqoor)’s original four-year term ended in February 2024. However, aterm extensionapproved by the Galmudug parliament extended his mandate until February 2025. Since then, there has been no clarity regarding regional leadership elections. Media reports indicate the presence of rival opposition groups, some of which are involved in armed militias, further worsening the security situation in Galmudug.

"We call on the Galmudug State authorities to release the two detained journalists, Abdullahi Abdi Hersi and Abdullahi Abdukadir Nur. The two colleagues were just doing their job to inform the public. Officials in Galmudug must understand that journalism is not a crime, and such arrests send a dangerous message that criticism of authorities will be punished,” said SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin.

"At a time when Dhusamareb is facing serious security challenges, arresting journalists instead of addressing public concerns is reckless and violates Somalia’s constitution and international press freedom standards,” added Mr. Mumin.