Aden, a father of 13 children, was arrested along with several others, according to the Office of the Attorney General, on alleged charges of “stealing fuel from the Ministry of Information“.

While the allegations were not proven and some of his co-accused were already released after the intervention of powerful officials from the presidency and the Ministry of Information, Aden remains behind bars because he comes from a minority clan.

On Thursday morning, July 13, a deputy Attorney General named Abdullahi Yusuf visited Aden at the C.I.D and informed him of his innocence. However, he delivered a disheartening message: Aden would be set free if he could pay the exorbitant sum of U.S  $1,500, according to the family and insider sources at the police.

Family members of Aden revealed that he was instructed to contact his family and request them to raise the demanded amount.

According to the Deputy Prosecutor Abdullahi Yusuf, the money was to be handed over to Judge Salah Dheere from the Supreme Court and Chairman Salah Daban from the Banadir Regional Court. Their involvement was allegedly to ensure Aden’s release, despite his innocence.

While this distressing episode unfolded at the Mogadishu C.I.D, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) were engaged in the launch of the so-called Joint Justice and Corrections Programme in Mogadishu. They were seen socializing with corrupt Somali officials including the Attorney General Sulayman Mohamud, Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf, and the Justice Minister Hassan Sheikh Ali, among others all funded by western taxpayers’ money.

The juxtaposition of these events highlights the troubling prevalence of corruption within Mogadishu’s law enforcement agencies. Aden’s continued detention, despite claims of innocence and the release of other accused individuals, raises concerns about the fairness and integrity of the justice system.

The international community, which invests considerable resources in supporting Somalia’s governance and justice sectors, must take note of these troubling developments. Abdalle Mumin, an outspoken human rights defender and the Secretary-General of the Somali Journalists Syndicate who first broke the story on Thursday expressed their concern for lack of accountability, transparency, and the upholding of the rule of law.

The plight of Aden Muhidin Isaaq serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by ordinary citizens caught up in a system marred by corruption and undue influence. As the people of Somalia yearn for justice and stability, it is crucial for the government to address these systemic issues, hold accountable those responsible for corruption, and ensure a fair and impartial justice system for all its citizens.

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In a vibrant display of festivity, delighted citizens flooded the main streets of Mogadishu, joining together for Eid prayers in mosques and open grounds. Government officials were seen alongside the jubilant crowds in Garowe and Hargeisa, partaking in the merriment.

Amidst the revelry, influential individuals dedicated themselves to charitable acts, sacrificing Udhiya animals to provide for the less fortunate and their neighbors, all while embracing the joyous spirit of Eid al-Adha.

Reports from various regions of the country confirm that today marks the beginning of Eid, with people gathering at significant locations in cities across the regions.

Last night, government leaders conveyed their heartfelt congratulations to the Somali people on the occasion of Eid al-Adha through national media outlets.

The United Nations in Somalia expressed warm wishes to all Somalis on this special occasion of Eid al-Adha, extending their hopes for a period of peace, joy, and prosperity for the nation.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Catriona Laing, emphasized their solidarity and commitment to supporting Somalia’s progress and stability.

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The announcement was made by Jubbaland’s information minister, Saleban Mohamed Mohamud, during a three-day meeting on strategic communication held on Monday, May 29. The conference was funded by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

According to journalists present at the meeting, Minister Mohamud emphasized that, given the ongoing war in the country, the “media should align with the government and disseminate propaganda news through social media”. This directive blatantly undermines the principles of neutrality and objectivity that independent media upholds.

Concerns were raised when UNSOM officers were observed to be present at the meeting hall during the minister’s announcement, causing further unease among local journalists.

Abdikhadar Iman of the Jubbaland Journalists Organization shared his experience, stating that he witnessed the minister issuing the new orders.

Miski Yusuf Ali, the director general of Jubbaland’s Ministry of Information, confirmed the imposition of the new policy by the minister during his address to journalists on the meeting’s third day. Miski also stated that UNSOM officials were supportive of their actions.

Jubbaland and Southwest authorities recently declared a new offensive against al-Shabaab militants who control significant portions of the two regional states.

The safety of local journalists has long been a concern in Kismayo. In July 2019, two prominent journalists lost their lives during an al-Shabaab attack on a popular hotel. Due to a shrinking space for media and safety concerns, dozens of local reporters have fled the city, as reported by local media associations.

The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expressed serious concerns over the Jubbaland authorities’ announcement, particularly as it follows the October 8 directive by the federal Ministry of Information in Mogadishu, which banned independent media coverage of military operations. This directive led to the arbitrary detention and persecution of SJS secretary-general Abdalle Mumin in October 2022.

In accordance with the directive, Jubbaland intelligence officers arbitrarily detained Abdullahi Hussein Kilas, a journalist from Horn Cable TV and SJS press freedom coordinator, in the port city of Kismayo on October 23. Kilas had covered an attack on a hotel in the city center that day. He was released later after the authorities forced Horn Cable TV to remove his news report.

According to documentation by the SJS, the arbitrary detention, threats, restrictions, and denial of access to information have reached alarming levels throughout 2022. Furthermore, federal and local authorities have intensified their attacks on journalists covering the government-declared war against al-Shabaab in certain regions of the country. As a result, two prominent journalists lost their lives, ten others sustained injuries, 84 journalists were arrested, and seven media stations/offices were raided and closed due to their critical reporting in 2022.

The ban on independent media coverage imposed by Jubbaland authorities, combined with previous restrictive actions, raises concerns about press freedom and access to accurate information in Somalia.

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