Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Police officers from the Xamar Jajab Police Station reportedly forcefully detained Shabelle TV journalist Shugri Caabi Cabdi and cameraman Cabdullaahi Cabdifitaax Siidoow while they were covering a story about the displacement of civilians taking place in Mogadishu.
The officers were also accused of mistreating the journalists and confiscating their equipment before arresting them.
In a separate incident, journalist Jacfar Maxamed Jimcaale and photographer Nuur Xasan Cali of Kalsan TV are reportedly being unlawfully detained at the Dayniile Police Station under the Western Division while carrying out their professional duties.
The management of Kalsan TV stated that they are deeply concerned about the arrest of their staff and the illegal obstruction of their journalistic work.
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire strongly condemned what he described as the “abduction” of journalists Shukri Caabi Cabdi, Jacfar Maxamed Jimcaale, Cabdullaahi Cabdifitaax Siidoow, and Nuur Xasan Cali, who work for Shabelle and Kalsan TV.
He said the journalists were arrested while reporting on alleged forced evictions and land seizures being carried out by the government in the districts of Xamar Jajab and Dayniile.
Khaire stated that it was unfortunate that the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was, in his view, moving toward authoritarianism and engaging in the displacement of vulnerable communities, land grabbing, suppression of the media, and the unlawful detention of Somali youth.
He further claimed that the current administration, which he described as being in its final days, was focused on the exploitation of national resources, displacement of civilians, and misuse of public assets. Khaire called on Somali intellectuals and citizens to prepare to protect the country and its people from what he described as a repressive administration accused of repeated human rights abuses and actions harmful to Somalia’s state-building process.
Former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble also released a statement condemning the arrests of journalists in Mogadishu.
In the Name of Allah: A Statement of Condemnation
“I strongly condemn the unlawful arrest of journalists working for Shabelle and Kalsan TV — Cabdullaahi Cabdifitaax Siidow, Jacfar Maxamed Jimcaale, and Nuur Xasan Cali — who were peacefully carrying out their media duties.
The arrest of these journalists is an act that violates the fundamental rights of citizens and goes against the principles of governance, the rule of law, and democracy.
I want to make it absolutely clear: freedom of speech and press freedom are essential pillars of modern governance and cannot be suppressed through political power or intimidation.
We call on the relevant authorities to immediately release all individuals who have been unlawfully detained and to respect citizens’ rights and the independence of the media.”
The situation in Somalia currently appears to be deteriorating, with growing concerns over press freedom and the independence of the Somali media.