The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) says it is deeply concerned by the arrest of journalist Mohamed Jama Mohamud in Bosaso on Tuesday 14 July 2026, making him the second journalist arrested by Puntland authorities in less than two weeks, in what appears to be an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression and independent journalism in Puntland.
On Tuesday, Puntland’s intelligence agency, PISA, arrested local journalist Mohamed Jama Mohamud in the port city of Bosaso, hours after he reported on the closure of businesses in the city following an increase in taxes on goods arriving through Bosaso Port.
According to media reports, the local business community kept their businesses closed for a second consecutive week on Tuesday in protest against the new tax increase on imports through Bosaso Port, Puntland’s main commercial gateway. The closures have led to growing concerns about the loss of livelihoods as economic activity and employment opportunities decline.
Journalists who spoke to SJS said Mohamed had been reporting extensively on the issue in recent days. His Facebook page, which SJS had reviewed and has more than 37,000 followers, features reports and interviews with labourers and other residents describing the impact of the business closures on their livelihoods.
Security officials in Bosaso have not disclosed where Mohamed is being held. However, colleagues told SJS that he is being detained at a PISA-run facility in Bosaso, raising concerns because intelligence agencies are not legally mandated to carry out arrests or detain civilians.
Mohamed becomes the second journalist currently detained in Puntland, following the arrest of Suways Jama Mohamud, who was arrested on 2 July and remains in custody in Garowe, the capital of Puntland.
The media freedom group called on the Puntland State Government to immediately and unconditionally release both journalists, Mohamed Jama and Suways Jama Mohamud, and to end the ongoing crackdown on independent media. Journalists must not be criminalised or detained for carrying out their professional duties, including reporting on issues of public interest.
“We call on Puntland security agency PISA to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Mohamed Jama Mohamud, as we also reiterate our call to Puntland government prosecutor to drop all charges against Suways Jama Mohamud currently jailed in Garowe. Both of them are targeted for their legitimate work. Journalists must be allowed to report on issues of public interest without fear of arrest, harassment, or retaliation,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.
“Puntland has long been viewed as one of Somalia’s more stable regions, with a history of relative openness and democratic values. However, the repeated arrests and targeting of journalists represent a worrying decline in respect for freedom of expression. The targeting of journalists and arresting them send a dangerous message to the media community and risk undermining public trust in government institutions,” Mr. Mumin added.