Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Police officers from the Xamar Jajab Police Station in Mogadishu forcefully detained four Somali journalists while they were covering a story about the forced evictions taking place in Mogadishu on Wednesday.
The officers were also accused of mistreating the journalists namely: Shukri Aabi Abdi and her cameraman Abdullahi Abdifitah Sidow were arrested alongside Jafar Mohamed Jim’ale and cameraman Nur Hasan Ali.
The police reportedly confiscated the journalists’ equipment.
Shukri Aabi Abdi and her cameraman Abdullahi Abdifitah Sidow work for Shabelle TV while Jafar Mohamed Jim’ale and cameraman Nur Hasan Ali work for Kalsan TV.
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.
The Somali Opposition politicians condemned the arrest of the four journalists.
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire described the journalists arrest as “abduction”.
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 accused the current administration, which he described as being in its final days, was focused on the exploitation of national resources, forced evictions of Citizens, and misuse of public assets.
Meanwhile, Former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble also released a statement condemning the arrests of journalists in Mogadishu.
“I strongly condemn the unlawful arrest of journalists working for Shabelle and Kalsan TV — Abdullahi Abdifitah Sidow, Jafar Mohamed Jim’ale, and Nur Hasan Ali — who were peacefully carrying out their media duties.” Roble added.
The situation in Somalia currently appears to be deteriorating, with growing concerns over press freedom and the independence of the Somali media.