TV journalist briefly arrested in Somalia over critical reporting 

Farhan Ahmed Abdi, who also works for Radio Galgadud was detained while in line of duty, covering a protest by local Tuk-Tuk drivers outside the administrative headquarters in Dhusamareb city.

News Keydmedia Online
13 July 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Security forces in Somalia’s central Galmudug state have on Tuesday arrested a correspondent for the privately-owned independent London-based Universal TV, his colleagues said.

Farhan Ahmed Abdi, who also works for Radio Galgadud was detained while in line of duty, covering a protest by local Tuk-Tuk drivers outside the administrative headquarters in Dhusamareb city.

The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has confirmed that the newsperson was released after spending several hours in detention without charge. This is part of an unending crackdown on the press.

In recent days, the city has been plagued by rallies over the lack of services at the regional transport office which failed to give the rickshaw drivers their number plates.

The arrest of journalists in Somalia has been on the rise under Farmajo’s presidency as his government and the states silenced the free press and censored the media outlets.

KEYDMEDIA English