On 11 December, a group of journalists from local media outlets were covering two bomb explosions in Mogadishu’s Dayniile and Daaru Salaam districts, when police briefly arrested them and confiscated their equipment, preventing the journalists from their right to access information.

The journalists—Ja’far Mohamed Jimale (reporter), Sumayo Ali Hussein (reporter), and Abdirahman Mohamed Ahmed (cameraman)—were reporting for Kalsan TV, while Iqro Abdullahi Abdirahman and her unnamed camera operator were covering the incident for the online news channel Hirasho TV. Iqro said she was held by a soldier who twisted her arm during the arrest. The journalists were taken to the Dayniile Police Station, where police officers warned them not to report on the bombings.

Journalists said one of the two explosions targeted a local school in Dayniile neighborhood where an event related to the preparations for the disputed Mogadishu elections was taking place, killing at least one person and injuring several others. The second blast targeted another school in Daaru Salaam district, injuring an unknown number of people.  Recently, Somalia’s Minister of Education, Farah Abdukadir, announced that schools would be used as polling stations for the vote scheduled for 25 December, despite objections from educational institutions citing serious security risks.

Separately, on 11 December, six reporters were briefly arrested by police and members of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Yaaqshiid district while reporting on a car accident that killed at least one person. Qasim Abdille Barrow and his colleague, cameraman Mohamed Adan of Somali Cable TV, said they were beaten with pistols before being arrested and having their equipment seized. Khadar Abdirahim Ibrahim of Himilo Media and his colleague, cameraman Abdirisak Haji Sidow, were also arrested and had their equipment confiscated.

Ali Yasin Ali, a cameraman with Somali Media Services (SMS), and Hussein Isse Mohamed, a reporter, told SJS that they were beaten with a gun by a soldier and briefly detained alongside Risaala TV cameraman Salman Abdirizak Shire, RTN TV cameraman Mohamed Abdukadir, Universal Somali TV reporter Abshir Abdullahi Amin, and Saab TV reporter Deeq Moalim Jinow.

Journalists in Mogadishu have reported increased pressure and threats from security agencies aimed at preventing coverage of terrorist attacks and local community complaints related to the controversial election in the capital. Residents have repeatedly described incidents in which people were abducted from the streets and forcibly registered as voters without their consent. Shooting incidents resulting in deaths have also been reported in the northern parts of the capital.

Journalists also told SJS that both bribery attempts and threats have been directed at media directors and journalists deemed critical of the government, including those working for international media outlets, in exchange for favorable coverage.

The disputed national election team has not responded to requests for comment.

“SJS condemns these acts of arbitrary arrests and detention, bribery and threats in which journalists were detained, their equipment seized, and they were prevented from reporting on matters of public interest in Mogadishu over the past weeks. We are also alarmed by the level of threats directed at critical reporters by the so-called independent electoral body, as Mogadishu faces serious security and economic challenges,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin. “These constitute a gross constitutional violation, depriving journalists of their right to access information and report freely—rights that, sadly, the Somali security forces, who are supposed to uphold them, have been ignoring.”

“We call on all those involved in these attacks to immediately stop. Journalists must be able to report on any incident occurring in their areas, whether or not those in power approve of the coverage,” added Mr. Mumin.

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Minister Hassan Macallin explained that every individual has limits they cannot تجاوز, and likewise has rights they are entitled to enjoy, including the right to vote. If a citizen is denied this right or suffers any violation related to it, they have the right to seek legal redress.

“A complaint can be submitted. Courts have the authority to rule on election-related matters if a citizen is deprived of their right to vote,” said the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Macallin.

Somalia is scheduled to hold local council public elections on the 25th of this month, starting in the Banadir Region. Political organizations are competing in the elections and are currently in the campaign period.

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The meeting, which took place at the presidential palace, Villa Somalia, focused on holding the local council elections that are set to take place in 16 districts of the capital, Mogadishu.

A member of the disputed election committee, who confidentially confirmed the meeting to Kaab TV, said they received an order that the election in the 16 districts must be held on 25 December 2025.

Sixteen Districts and Only Three Clans

A source from the electoral committee told Kaab TV that voting will be implemented in 16 districts of Mogadishu, based on the directive issued by the Council of Ministers on 23 October.

The districts have been categorized into Class (A) and Class (B) districts.

The Class (A) districts are: Hodan, Yaaqshiid, Deyniile, Kaaraan, Dharkeenley, Wadajir, Warta-Nabadda, Heliwaa, and Howl-wadaag.

The Class (B) districts are: Waaberi, Shibis, Xamar-Jajab, Boondheere, Xamar-Weyne, Abdicasis, and Shangaani.

Candidates Restricted to Only Three Clans

The race for district commissioner positions in the 16 districts, scheduled for December, has been limited to candidates from only three clans:

• Hawiye/ Abgaal (7 districts)
• Hawiye/Habar Gidir (6 districts)
• Hawiye/Murusade (3 districts)

It is unknown how this plan will be implemented.

Both the disputed election committee and Villa Somalia have declined to provide further details on the electoral plan described as a “one-person, one-vote” process.

Meanwhile, the administrations of Puntland and Jubaland, along with the Madasha Samatabixinta (The Somali Salvation Forum), will soon travel to Kismayo, where a conference is expected to be held to announce an alternative electoral framework opposing Villa Somalia’s plan.

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The officers — calling themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order” — declared that all state institutions were suspended “until further notice.” Borders were closed, media and electoral-related operations halted, and a curfew imposed.\

Following the takeover, on Thursday November 27, 2025, Horta Nta Na Man was sworn in as transitional president. The swearing-in ceremony took place at military headquarters, with top army brass present, and the junta said he will lead for a 12-month transitional period.

The coup came just one day before provisional results were expected from a tightly contested presidential election held on November 23, 2025. Both the incumbent president Umaro Sissoco Embaló and main challenger Fernando Dias had declared victory — a deadlock that escalated political tensions.

On Wednesday, gunfire erupted near key locations including the presidential palace and the building of the national electoral commission, signaling a swift deterioration of security as troops advanced.

When announcing the takeover, military leaders accused certain politicians — as well as a “well-known drug-lord” and foreign actors — of plotting to manipulate the election outcome. They provided no evidence.

Regional bodies and foreign governments have condemned the coup. The African Union (AU), via its Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, denounced the military takeover, calling it an unconstitutional change of government, and demanded the immediate release of detained officials.

The election-observation missions of the AU and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), along with the West African Elders Forum, condemned the halt of the electoral process as a blatant disruption of the democratic path. They urged restoration of constitutional order.

Some neighbouring states including Ghana and the government of Nigeria have publicly expressed concern, warning that the coup threatens regional stability and undermines democratic norms.

With a transitional military-led government in place, the immediate future of Guinea-Bissau is unclear. The electoral process has been suspended, and provisional results that were expected are now delayed indefinitely — casting doubt on whether the vote will ever be completed or recognized.

There is concern that the coup may deepen political instability in a country long plagued by turbulence. Historically, state institutions have been fragile, and repeated coups have eroded trust in governance.

Regional pressure — from the AU, ECOWAS, and West African states — may increase, potentially leading to sanctions or demands for a return to constitutional rule. But much depends on whether the military junta will commit to a credible process for restoring democratic order.

African Union chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf condemned the coup in a statement, and called for the release of Embalo “and all detained officials.”

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