FESOJ condemns the arbitrary arrest of a journalist in Galkayo

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns – in the strongest terms possible – the arrest of a Somali journalist on Friday, 13 January, 2018 in Galkayo.

The arrest of Hanad Abdi Farah who is the Director of radio Vioce of Mudug, came after his radio released a report on number of people who were organising a rally against President of Somalia who was due to visit in the divided city the following day despite orgainsers of the rally were later dispersed by the police.

“I was arrested by the police on Friday around 10:00 AM local time and I am still in custody and spending a jail in Galkayo the second night” Hanad spoke NUSOJ on the phone with facilitation of police officer
NUSOJ is concerned about the arrest of the journalist without due process and asks Galmudug leaders to release the journalist unconditionally.

Press freedom is a critical issue in Somali regional states, where journalists are still harassed and jailed,” said Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu, NUSOJ Secretary General. “We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Hanad Abdi Farah as there is no lawful reason for his detention,” Moalimu added.
The officers in charge of the Police station where the journalist is detained declined to comment on the reason of the detention of the journalist

Some State administrations continue to put pressure on Media Houses to sensor them. On Januray 8,2018 A journalist Abdishakur Abdullahi Ahmed Shaashaa was released from custody in Jowhar with the help of NUSOJ after 12 days of detention at the Police Station in Jowhar.

Shaashaa was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, 28 December. 2017 after the local authority accused him for airing hate speeches and creating false reports

More than 30 journalists were arrested in several parts of Somalia in 2017 ,last year including Somaliland and the National Union of Somali Journalists is very much concerned with the continuing harassment against Somali journalists in the country.