The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has strongly condemned the recent wave of violence, arbitrary detention, and intimidation by Somali police forces against journalists covering protests in Mogadishu. The protests erupted following the closure of Bakaro market, the largest in the Somali capital, due to new taxes and fees imposed on local businesses, leading to a two-day strike by the business community. Despite the critical nature of the situation, journalists attempting to report on the events faced significant harassment from police authorities.

On August 18, seven local journalists were briefly detained at the Hawlwadaag police station after reporting from Bakaro market. The journalists, who were covering the business closures, were taken to the police station under the pretense of attending a press conference, only to be held for two hours before being released with warnings not to report further on the market closures. Among the detained were reporters and cameramen from various local media outlets, including Hirasho TV, Voice of America (VOA), and Mustaqbal Media. These incidents disrupted their reporting activities, and their equipment was temporarily confiscated.

Further incidents occurred on August 19, when two female reporters, Nimo Muhidin from Somali Cable TV and Safa Osman, a freelancer for Dalsan TV, reported being harassed and threatened by police officers while covering the ongoing protests at Bakaro market. In one alarming incident, police officer reportedly cocked his pistol and pointed it at Nimo’s head, forcing her to leave. Similarly, Himilo TV’s journalist Abdirahman Nur Mohamed and his cameraman were chased away from the protest site and later confronted by a police officer while recording on Maka al Mukarama Road.

In response to these events, SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin condemned the police actions, stating that such behavior is unacceptable and undermines press freedom. Mumin called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the incidents, urging accountability for the officers involved. He emphasized that no journalist should be targeted or detained for simply doing their job and reporting on matters of public interest. SJS demands justice for the journalists who have faced these violations and insists on protecting the rights of the press in Somalia.