Guardian journalist Mohamed Bulbul and two colleagues were detained and beaten by Somali police in Mogadishu on Friday evening, in what media outlets and MPs have condemned as an unlawful and politically motivated crackdown.
Arrest and Assault
The journalists—Mohamed Bulbul, Abdihafid Nor Barre, and Abdishakur Mohamed Mohamud—were in a restaurant in central Mogadishu when members of Somalia's U.S.-trained counter-terrorism police unit arrested and assaulted them with pistols. They were taken to police headquarters for questioning and released in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Political Context
The arrests come amid rising public anger against the ruling establishment, with the presidential term set to end on 15 May. Opposition MP Abdirahman Abdishakur accused the administration of intensifying repression against journalists, activists, and outspoken young people instead of addressing grievances over forced displacement and land grabbing.
Link to Reporting
Bulbul's detention is believed to be linked to his coverage of Sadia Moalim Ali, a 27-year-old rickshaw driver imprisoned for peaceful protest and social media activism. In a Guardian article published Thursday, Ali described being tortured in Mogadishu central prison—stripped naked by male guards, beaten, and left without food for two days. The story was widely shared on Somali media and social media.
Threats and Intimidation
The journalists had faced sustained threats in recent weeks. At police headquarters, Mogadishu police chief Mahdi Omar Mumin reportedly threatened them with death if they continued reporting on planned protests or Ali's case. The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) quoted Mumin as saying he was “tired of arresting journalists” and that silence was their only option.
Broader Crackdown
Earlier this week, at least five local journalists were arrested and had equipment confiscated. Two broadcast journalists, Ja'far Mohamed Jim'ale and cameraman Nur Hasan Ali, remain in detention with unknown whereabouts, according to SJS.
Press Freedom Concerns
Somalia ranks 126th out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index. Reporters Without Borders notes that with over 50 media professionals killed since 2010, Somalia is one of Africa's most dangerous countries for journalists. The Somali authorities have been approached for comment.
