The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has called on the Southwest State administration to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi, widely known as Jakaata, who the organization says was arrested in Baidoa on September 6, 2026.
According to SJS, the journalist’s whereabouts have remained unknown since his arrest. The organization said it has repeatedly sought information from local authorities and police officials in Baidoa regarding his detention but has received no response.
SJS stated that Abdirahman was detained shortly after publishing a Facebook post on September 5 concerning reported airstrikes in areas near Baidoa and the communities affected by the attacks.
The press freedom group said some of the journalist’s colleagues believe the post may have contributed to his arrest. SJS further alleged that authorities later accused him of sympathizing with Al-Shabaab based on comments posted online by another individual.
According to the organization, Abdirahman rejected the accusation, arguing that the label “Khawarij” is increasingly being used to stigmatize people without evidence.
The arrest comes at a time of heightened political and security tensions in Baidoa, where clashes and disputes involving rival political factions and security forces have intensified in recent weeks.
SJS expressed concern that journalists reporting on these developments are facing growing pressure and intimidation.
The organization also reported that another journalist, Mahmud Ali Abdullahi, known as Baxar, was detained in Baidoa on September 8 while returning home.
According to his account to SJS, officers from Southwest State intelligence services stopped him, confiscated his phone, and took him to Baidoa Police Station for questioning.
Baxar said security officers searched his device and questioned him about several Facebook posts related to security incidents and political developments in Baidoa.
He told SJS that officials were particularly unhappy with a September 3 post in which he described forces loyal to Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen as having attacked the city, rather than attributing the fighting to Al-Shabaab.
He was later released after several hours of questioning.
The situation for journalists in Baidoa has drawn additional concern following the recent death of journalist Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi, who was killed by gunfire during clashes in the city.
The incident highlighted the risks faced by media workers covering the volatile security situation in the region.
SJS accused local authorities of increasing pressure on journalists because of their reporting on political and security developments.
The organization urged all parties involved in the Southwest State dispute to respect press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists, warning against the use of arrests, threats, or intimidation to influence independent media coverage.
The journalists’ union reiterated that reporters have the right to independently cover political, security, and humanitarian issues without being forced to adopt the language, narratives, or viewpoints of any side involved in the conflict.
SJS renewed its demand for authorities to disclose the whereabouts of Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi and release him immediately and unconditionally, saying his continued detention raises serious concerns about media freedom and due process in Baidoa.