Puntland security forces on Wednesday arrested journalist Suways Jama Mohamud (Gacayte) in Garowe, the capital of Puntland, in the latest incident raising concerns over press freedom and the treatment of media workers in Somalia.

According to local sources, Suways Gacayte, who is among the journalists working in Garowe and has previously worked with Puntland state media, was detained while passing through the city center. Witnesses said security personnel had earlier gone to her residence in Garowe during the early morning hours before later arresting her elsewhere in the city.

Puntland authorities have not yet issued an official statement explaining the reasons behind her arrest, and no formal charges have been announced.

The detention comes months after former Puntland Minister of Information Mahamud Aidid Dirir filed a legal complaint against the journalist earlier this year. It remains unclear whether Wednesday’s arrest is connected to that case or to any other investigation.

The arrest has renewed concerns among media rights advocates over the shrinking space for independent journalism in Somalia. Journalists across the country have increasingly reported facing arrests, intimidation, threats, legal action, and harassment while covering issues related to politics, security, governance, corruption, and public accountability.

Press freedom organizations have repeatedly warned that the growing use of arrests and criminal prosecutions against journalists risks creating a climate of fear and self-censorship. Many reporters say they are becoming increasingly reluctant to investigate or report on sensitive public interest issues out of concern for their personal safety or the possibility of detention.

Media advocates argue that harassment of journalists weakens public access to accurate information, undermines transparency, and reduces scrutiny of government institutions. They warn that when journalists are prevented from carrying out their work freely, citizens are deprived of independent reporting that is essential for accountability and informed public debate.

In recent years, both federal and regional authorities in Somalia have faced criticism from local and international press freedom organizations over repeated arrests of journalists, temporary media closures, confiscation of equipment, and legal cases targeting reporters. Rights groups have consistently called on Somali authorities to uphold constitutional guarantees protecting freedom of expression and ensure that journalists can work without intimidation or interference.

As of now, there has been no official response from Puntland security agencies regarding the circumstances surrounding Suways Gacayte’s detention, and it remains unclear whether she will be formally charged or brought before a court.

Two Puntland Journalists Face Legal Threats Over Critical Reporting – SJS

Press Releases — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:00:01 +0000

MOGADISHU – The Somali journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses deep concern over the continued harassment and intimidation of journalists in Puntland, following the summons of Suways Jama Mohamud and Hassan Abdi Ali (Hassan Heykal) by the Puntland Attorney General’s Office earlier this month. Both journalists, who have reported on sensitive issues including political criticism, human rights, and governance, are now facing accusations reportedly filed by the Puntland Ministry of Information, raising serious fears of reprisals for their independent reporting.

On 9 September 2025, the Puntland Attorney General’s (AG) Office summoned journalists Suways Jama Mohamud and Hassan Abdi Ali (popularly known as Hassan Heykal) via phone call over an unspecified issue. The following day, a lawyer representing the two went to the AG’s Office and was informed that both journalists were required to appear before the office.

The lawyer was also told that the case had been filed by the Puntland Ministry of Information.

Suways Jama Mohamud is a reporter and producer at Puntland State TV and the founder of Suways Media, an online platform known for its “street question” interviews in Puntland. On 9 June, Suways published an interview with a local commander of an armed group affiliated with SSC-Khaatumo (now Northeast State Somalia), who claimed that fighting had taken place in a rural village in Sool region called Shaxda during a visit by the Puntland State Minister for the Presidency. Following the interview, Suways told SJS she received threats of arrest, which forced her into hiding for several weeks.

On 23 June, Suways told SJS that she was suspended from her position at Puntland State TV after being accused of being critical of the government in August this year. However, in late August, Puntland’s Ministry of Labor, as well as the workplace committee and human resources office at Puntland State TV, rejected the suspension, concluding that it was unlawful. Members of the Puntland State Parliament also grilled the Minister of Information, and the Director General of Puntland State TV, who had authorized the suspension, on the suspension of Suways. MPs also ordered to reinstate Suways.

She told SJS that while awaiting confirmation of her return to work, she received the call from the AG’s Office summoning her.

Hassan Heykal, director of Milgo Media, which operates in several Puntland locations, told SJS that he began receiving threats from the Office of the Puntland Vice President after he published an interview in May with a young tuk-tuk driver who alleged he had been beaten by security guards of Vice President Ilyas Ahmed Lugatoor. After the interview was posted online, a senior official from the Vice President’s office contacted Heykal, requesting the driver’s contact details, which he provided.

On Sunday, 14 September, Hassan Heykal appeared with his lawyer before the AG’s Office, where he was questioned about five news reports published on Milgo Media. These included: an interview with a clan elder demanding the Puntland Minister of Information apologize to Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s clan; a protest by the family of a murder victim killed in Garowe in June; a commentary by a Puntland government official criticizing the Puntland State Minister of Information in September; an interview with the spokesman of the Puntland counter-terrorism operation, who claimed that the leader of ISIS-Somalia had fled the country; and an interview with a politician who accused the Puntland president of blocking his parliamentary candidacy.

On Thursday, 18 September, Suways also reported to the AG’s Office, where she was questioned about 10 posts published on Suweys Media and one personal comment she had written on Facebook.

SJS’s review of the posts shows that most were vox pop interviews with ordinary citizens voicing criticism of government officials at various levels including criticism to the president and the vice president of Puntland. The Facebook comment in question related to Vice President Lugatoor’s visit to Puntland State TV on 22 May 2025. Suways had commented on a Puntland State House Facebook post, noting remarks the Vice President Lugatoor allegedly made during the visit. That comment is no longer visible.

According to their lawyer, both journalists were instructed to prepare responses to accusations including “criticism of government officials and incitement.”

No written charges were provided. The AG’s Office did not respond when asked why the journalists were not given a written document about the accusations against them, instead of only oral statements.

“The summons of Suways Jama Mohamud and Hassan Heykal by the Puntland Attorney General’s Office marks yet another troubling attempt to silence independent journalism in Puntland,” said Abdalle Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

“Targeting journalists for their reporting—whether through unlawful suspensions, legal threats, or politically motivated cases—undermines press freedom and the public’s right to know in Puntland. We condemn these actions and we call for Puntland Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Information to drop these accusations immediately and for the Puntland authorities to respect and protect journalists in carrying out their duties. We also demand that Suways Jama Mohamud reinstated to her role at the Puntland State TV inline with the Parliament’s order,” Mr. Mumin added.

The post Two Puntland Journalists Face Legal Threats Over Critical Reporting – SJS appeared first on Kaab TV.

Puntland Media Freedom Archives - Kaab TV

Journalist Suways Gacayte Arrested in Garowe

Two Puntland Journalists Face Legal Threats Over Critical Reporting – SJS