IPI raises concern over rising attacks on journalists in Somalia

Saturday May 30, 2026

From left – Ja’far Mohamed Jim’ale, Shukri Aabi Abdi and Rowda Hassan Taakilo. Source- SJS

Mogadishu (HOL) – The International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed deep concern over escalating attacks, arrests, intimidation, and harassment of journalists in Somalia, particularly during May 2026.

In a statement released on 29 May 2026, IPI called on the international diplomatic community to intensify engagement with Somali authorities and urge them to prioritise the protection of journalists and press freedom.

The organisation said attacks on journalists and restrictions on independent reporting have increased as Somalia holds local council and state assembly elections, alongside broader national debates over the current government’s term and democratic processes.

IPI and its partners documented multiple cases of attacks against journalists in Somalia, including climate and environmental journalists. The organisation also noted an intensifying crackdown on media coverage of forced evictions.

On 6 May 2026, journalist Shukri Aabi Abdi and cameraman Abdullahi Abdifatah Sidow from Shabelle TV were arrested by armed police officers in Mogadishu’s Hamar Jajab district while covering forced evictions.

The officers allegedly assaulted Shukri, injuring her finger, confiscated her phone, and seized the team’s camera equipment before transporting both journalists to the Hamar Jajab police station. They were later released the same day without any charges.

Also on 6 May, Kalsan TV journalist Ja’far Mohamed Jim’ale and cameraman Noradin Hasan Ali were arrested by police while covering clashes between residents and security forces in Mogadishu’s Dayniile district.

The journalists were reportedly transferred between police stations without notice, allegedly to conceal their whereabouts from their families and colleagues. During their detention, they were reportedly subjected to degrading treatment, while their camera equipment and phones were confiscated. They were released without charge the following day.

On 8 May 2026, members of Somalia’s U.S.-trained Mobile Vehicle Checkpoint Unit and officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) reportedly raided a restaurant in Mogadishu and arrested three journalists: Mohamed Ibrahim Osman, SJS Secretary for Information and Human Rights; freelance journalist Abdihafid Nor Barre; and Abdishakur Mohamed Mohamud of Somali Stream Online.

According to the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), the journalists were beaten during the raid. Abdihafid Nor Barre reportedly sustained a head injury that caused bleeding after he was struck with a pistol.

The journalists were allegedly blindfolded, handcuffed, transferred between several police facilities, and interrogated about their reporting, including a recent story published by The Guardian about a woman allegedly tortured in prison.

They also reported receiving death threats warning them against covering planned opposition protests in Mogadishu. SJS further noted that Somali Stream Online had previously received threats linked to its reporting on forced evictions and planned demonstrations.

The Somali Women Media Association also reported a growing wave of online attacks targeting journalists and independent media outlets on Meta platforms. Shabelle TV, Universal TV, and Dalsan TV are among the media outlets whose content has reportedly been removed or restricted through coordinated reporting campaigns.

“At a time when Somalia is going through an important political period marked by local elections and discussions surrounding the current government’s term, independent journalism is essential. We urge the international diplomatic community and multilateral partners to prioritise the safety of journalists in Somalia and engage the Somali authorities on the need to uphold press freedom and ensure meaningful accountability for violations against journalists,” said IPI Africa Programme Lead Nompilo Simanje.

“These recent incidents are examples of an increasingly dangerous environment for independent journalism in Somalia. Journalists must be able to report freely and safely without fear of arrest, violence, or intimidation. Continued attacks on the media threaten democratic participation and public trust, and they require urgent international attention and sustained pressure on Somali authorities,” Simanje added.

IPI also noted that during Somalia’s Universal Periodic Review at the U.N. Human Rights Council in May, several states raised concerns about freedom of expression and the treatment of journalists in the country.

Australia, for instance, urged Somalia to repeal expression-based offences in the Anti-Terrorism Act and end the prosecution and harassment of journalists.