Somali Journalists Body Decries Torture and Harassment of Journalists
Reporter Kizindo Lule
Mogadishu-Somalia
The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has on Wednesday 4th.September decried the continued arrest and Harassment of their colleague Sharma’arke Abdi Mahdi and other Journalists in Northeast State Somalia.
On Tuesday, 2 September, police officers in Laascaanood summoned Daljir Media reporter Mohamed Muse Yusuf aka Mohamed Koronto shortly after his interview with the regional Minister of Information, Najib Barkhadle who was published by Daljir Media.
In an interview reviewed by SJS, Mr. Barkhadle criticized the process of Northeast State’s formation, which was rebranded from SSC-Khaatumo under the backing of the Somali Federal Hovernment. He described the process as “hastened and lacking major consensus.”
Barkhadle,a member of the Somali Journalists Body(SJS) also condemned the Federal Minister of Interior, who had recently called on Laascaanood Authorities to crush Opposition Groups.
Mohamed Koronto told SJS that when he reported to the Laascaanood police station on Tuesday afternoon alongside colleague journalists, he was harassed by criminal investigation officers, who told him they did not like the interview he conducted with Mr. Barkhadle, who is now regarded as an opposition figure.
Mr. Barkhadle’s interview came three days after President, Abdukadir Ahmed Aw-Ali Firdhiye, was re-elected in a vote held in Laascaanood.
On Wednesday, 3 September, security personnel attached to the Northeast State president, Abdukadir Firdhiye arrested Journalist Sharma’arke Abdi Mahdi, who runs the Facebook news page, Khaatumo TV, which covers local news. Sharma’arke said he was assisting another journalist during an event where President Abdukadir Firdhiye launched a voter registration drive in Laascaanood.
The officers arrested Sharma’arke by force and beat him with punches and kicks.
At 10:00 a.m., the journalist was taken to the police station, where he was held incommunicado until late evening without the knowledge of his family or colleagues. This sparked concern, leading fellow journalists to search for him until they eventually found him detained at the station.
Journalists who visited him, told SJS that officers working for President Firdhiye accused Sharma’arke of recording video clips about the president, which the journalist denied. He was released during the night without Charge.
Sharma’arke told SJS that the president’s team disliked his reporting and that he believes this was the reason for his arrest.
Journalists in Laascaanood reported to SJS that their reporting had been made difficult in the recent days and that Local Authorities were copying repressive measures employed by the Federal Government in Mogadishu against Journalists.
“We condemn the arbitrary arrest of journalist Sharma’arke Abdi Mahdi and the harassment of reporter Mohamed Muse Yusuf in Laascaanood. Authorities in Laascaanood should understand that their actions are not helping the state formation process.
In fact, what they are doing is a blatant violation of press freedom and an attempt to silence independent journalism in Northeast State,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin.
“We call for an end to the intimidation of journalists in Laascaanood as we urge the Northeast State Authorities to guarantee safety and protection of all Media workers carrying out their professional duties,” added Mr. Mumin.
