Mogadishu (Raxanreeb) — Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Somali Media Association (SOMA), Somalia Mechanism for Safety of Journalists (SMSJ) and Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) vehemently condemn the arbitrary arrest of the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Mogadishu.

On 11 October, 2022 at around 17:00hrs local time, officers from the Somali Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) arrested Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) who was traveling to Nairobi at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu. He was immediately transferred to Godka Jilacow, the notorious NISA detention facility near the Presidential Palace.

The arrest follows after Somali Media Fraternity among them SJS, FESOJ, SOMA and SMSG held a press conference at the SJS Headquarters in Mogadishu on October 10, 2022, where they expressed their concern about a new government directive that banned what was termed “Spreading Al-Shabab propaganda”. The media advocacy groups expressed concerns that they were not consulted and the directive might unduly restrict the legitimate freedom expression and press freedom in the country.

About 6:29 pm (local time) a group of armed NISA officers led by the commander of Hawl-wadag district “Shakiib”, raided SJS office, while the staff had already left the office. The officers threatened a neighbour and forced him to open the security of the office gate. A CCTV footage installed in the building shows NISA officers attempting to force open the office but could not manage it.

Somali Media fraternity who are united under the umbrella of Somalia Mechanism for Safety of Journalists (SMSJ) jointly condemns this arbitrary arrest of the Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the SJS Secretary General, who was also the Secretary of the SMSG and express their solidarity with him. The Somali Media Fraternity also calls on the government to immediately and unconditionally release him. We also call on the authorities to immediately launch an investigation into the raid of SJS offices and to ensure the safety and security of all journalists.

*Signed by:

Somalia Mechanism for Safety of Journalists (SMSJ)
Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS)
Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ)
Somali Media Association (SOMA)