Somali security forces have released Abukar Sheikh Mohamud (also known as Sky), Director of Shabelle Media Network, and his Deputy, Mohamud Abdinasir Sofeysane. Their detention had sparked a determined campaign by the media community, underscoring the vital importance of unity in the struggle for press freedom.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of press freedom challenges in Somalia. In March 2025, Somali police arrested 19 journalists reporting on an Al-Shabaab attack on the president’s convoy, following threats from the Minister of Information against media outlets covering security failures. Similarly, in April 2023, four journalists from Risaala TV and 5TV were detained while covering a bomb blast in Mogadishu, with police banning coverage related to bombing sites in the capital.
These events highlight the ongoing risks faced by journalists in Somalia and the critical need for continued advocacy and solidarity within the media community to uphold press freedom.