Somali lawmaker Muse Suudi Yalahow has been accused of punching a journalist who questioned him about rising political tensions in Mogadishu, including allegations that the federal government was planning an attack on the residence of former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
The alleged incident comes amid growing friction between the federal government and opposition figures, with competing claims over security operations and the presence of armed forces near the former president’s home.
The accusation has also raised concerns about the safety of journalists covering politically sensitive issues and their ability to question public officials without fear of violence.
According to accounts circulating in Mogadishu, the journalist asked Yalahow about reports of a possible government operation against Sharif’s residence.
The question reportedly concerned the security situation in the capital and opposition allegations that government forces had been moving around the former president’s home.
Yalahow was then accused of striking the journalist with a punch. The allegation has not been independently verified, and no response from Yalahow was included in the available account.
The dispute follows a separate exchange of accusations between Sharif’s office and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The agency has accused armed men allegedly linked to the former president of attacking its personnel, while Sharif’s office has rejected the allegations and raised concerns about government security operations near his residence.
The competing accounts have not been independently verified.
Reports of a possible attack on Sharif’s home have circulated widely in Somali media and on social media in recent days. However, the existence of an officially authorised plan to attack the residence has not been established by independent evidence.
Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, denied on October 14 that the government had attacked the former president’s home and said the authorities favoured dialogue and a peaceful resolution.
The political dispute has placed renewed attention on the relationship between public officials and the media.
Journalists play an important role in informing the public, questioning those in positions of authority and scrutinising claims involving national security and public affairs.
Political leaders, in turn, can challenge inaccurate reporting, dispute allegations and provide their own accounts, but such disagreements should be addressed through clear responses and lawful procedures rather than physical confrontation.
The reported incident underscores the importance of protecting press freedom and journalists’ safety as Somalia navigates political disagreements and security concerns in its capital.
Any allegation of assault should be investigated fairly, with findings based on evidence and all parties given an opportunity to respond.