Mogadishu, Somalia – May 3, 2025 – Under the theme “No Democracy Without a Free Press,” the Somali Media Association (SOMA) commemorated World Press Freedom Day by convening a timely and impactful event at Sahafi Hotel in Mogadishu. The gathering brought together 30 key stakeholders from the media, legal sector, civil society, and law enforcement, including journalists, human rights defenders, legal experts, and a spokesperson from the Somali Police Force.
The event served as a vital platform for discussing the state of press freedom in Somalia, particularly focusing on the increasing number of arbitrary and unlawful detentions of journalists, an issue that continues to undermine both freedom of expression and public trust in democratic governance.
In his official opening remarks, SOMA’s representative, Mohamed Osman Makaran, emphasized the importance of May 3rd and extended congratulations to journalists worldwide, particularly Somali journalists working under difficult circumstances. He expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in arbitrary arrests, noting that more than 40 journalists have been illegally detained in Somalia over the past two months, many of whom were not even recorded in the police Occurrence Book (OB)—a violation of legal protocols.
Representing the Somali Police Force, the spokesperson, Abdifitah Adan, acknowledged collaboration with the media but defended the detentions as necessary steps to verify the identities of media personnel, pointing out previous security incidents where imposters posed as journalists. He explained that background checks are conducted to prevent such breaches and encouraged the media to report any form of police interference or misconduct.
However, this justification was met with concern and skepticism by participants, especially those who have personally experienced arbitrary arrests.
Several journalists recounted their ordeals in front of the panel and audience:
- Hamdi Ahmed, a journalist from Risaala Media, described how she was forcibly removed from her office by Abdi Ali, a commander at Mogadishu checkpoints, following an explosion targeting the president’s convoy. Despite citing her constitutional rights, the commander told her dismissively, “There is no law in Somalia at all.” She was photographed for a mug shot at the scene and detained without clear justification. Hamdi asked, “Where should we seek justice if even commanders claim there is no law?”
- Bashir Ali, a reporter for MM TV, shared his story of being detained at Wadajir Police Station while covering civilian casualties from mortar strikes on Halane Base. Despite initially being told they would be briefed on the incident, Bashir and his team were taken into custody. Hours later, the station commander admitted he had been misinformed and released them with an apology. Bashir asked the gathering, “Who takes responsibility for our illegal detentions and the damage to our professional integrity?”
- Bahja Abdullahi, of RTN TV, was stopped and detained by NISA agents days after broadcasting a report on waste accumulation in Wartanabadda district. She was accused of spreading misinformation and held at Wartanabadda Police Station, only to be released later without formal charges. Bahja described the experience as an intimidation tactic aimed at silencing critical journalism.
Former chairman of civil society, Diini Mohamed, said that forcing a journalist to delete their video or photos is a serious crime under the Somali Constitution. He called for better protection of journalists and clearer rules for police officers.
In conclusion, the event ended with a strong call to protect journalists and respect their rights so they can work freely and safely. SOMA promised to continue speaking out for media freedom and asked all authorities to follow the law and treat journalists with respect.
The Police Spokesperson promised that the police will treat journalists properly, respect their rights, and support their important role in informing the public. He said the police will work to build better trust with the media and help create a safe environment for all journalists in Somalia.
As Somalia works toward peace and democracy, freedom of the press is more important than ever. A free press means a stronger, more open society.