Somali police have arrested the Director General of Shabelle Media Network, Abuukar Sheikh Mohamud Abuukar “Sky,” and Deputy Director Mohamud Abdinasir Soofeysane on Saturday, amid growing concerns over press freedom in the country.
The two executives were summoned separately before being taken into custody at the Hamarweyne District Police Station in Mogadishu. The network condemned the arrests and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.
“This unlawful detention of our senior staff represents a blatant attack on media freedom. We call for their unconditional release and urge authorities to cease their intimidation of journalists,” the statement read.
The detentions follow Friday’s brief arrest of Reuters photojournalist Faisal Omar by the Banadir Regional Police, adding to a string of recent incidents seen as efforts to stifle critical media voices.
The opposition Himilo Qaran party, led by former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, also denounced the arrests, describing them as part of a crackdown on dissent and free press.
“This shows that the government and the Banadir Regional Police have ignored repeated calls to stop suppressing the free media,” the party said in a statement. It also demanded the release of both journalists and political figure Abdirahman Suleyman Jama, chairman of the Somali People’s Political Organization.
Abdirahman Suleyman was arrested last week under suspicion of committing acts “against national security,” though police have not released specific charges. His detention followed a televised interview on Shabelle TV in which he criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing the government of military failure and financial mismanagement.
Reports indicate that Mohamud Abdinasir Soofeysane’s arrest is linked to his role in airing that interview.
The Somali Federal Government has not issued an official comment on the arrests. The incidents have raised alarms among press freedom advocates, as Somalia continues to rank among the most dangerous environments in the world for journalists.
