More Than 10 Journalists Arrested in Mogadishu Within a Week Amid Concerns of Gov’t Crackdown

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: More than 10 journalists, including women reporters, have been arrested in Mogadishu over the past week, highlighting the worsening conditions facing media professionals working in the Somali capital.
The two latest arrests took place in the Deyniile district, where Amiira Salaabeen of Kaab TV and Iqro Abdullahi of Five TV were detained.
The two female journalists were reportedly carrying out their professional duties at the time of their arrest. Their working equipment was also confiscated, and their continued detention has been described as unlawful and a violation of press freedom.
This latest wave of repression has intensified during the month, with no legal justification yet made public to explain the arrest of such a large number of journalists.
The Safe Reporters of Somalia (SRS) strongly condemned the arrests, saying abuses against journalists cannot be tolerated.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, spokesperson Hanad Ali Guled called for the immediate and unconditional release of the two women. He warned that the growing crackdown on journalists is damaging the country’s image and threatening citizens’ right to access free and credible information.