MOGADISHU, Somalia, 08 November, 2024 – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses grave concern over recent threats targeting journalists from Himilo Somali TV in Mogadishu by agents of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) due to their reporting on the security situation in Mogadishu. This intimidation has forced the station’s editor to go into hiding.
On Thursday, 31 October, Himilo Somali TV editor Nur Abdirahman Nur reported on the closure of business premises in the Somali capital,Mogadishu, documenting a wave of assassinations targeting members of the local business community. These attacks, attributed to al-Shabaab, are allegedly in response to business owners complying with a government order to install CCTV cameras on their premises. In the report reviewed by SJS, the journalist noted that many business owners “feared opening their shops due to potential targeting by al-Shabaab’s amniyat unit”.
Following the report, NISA agents raided Himilo Somali TV’s Mogadishu office in search of the journalist, who was not present at the time, according to the station’s founder and staff. Two staff members told SJS that NISA officials phoned them that day, demanding the report’s deletion under threat of severe consequences. Under these threats, Himilo Somali TV editors complied by removing the news report.
“Since that day, NISA agents have been stationed outside our studio every day, watching us. They also call us on the phone to inquire about our editor Nur Abdirahman Nur’s whereabouts,” said one journalist at the station who requested anonymity for safety reasons.
As a result, Nur Abdirahman Nur has gone into hiding, unable to return to work. He communicated to SJS that he fears for his safety, which prompted his decision to remain in hiding.
SJS has learned that a group of NISA officers responsible for four Mogadishu districts—Hodan, Hawlwadaag, Hamar Jajab, and Waaberi—has circulated Nur’s photo and name on WhatsApp group, urging people to report any information on his location. Earlier this week, plain-clothed NISA agents, carrying Nur’s photo, reportedly raided the home of one of his relatives, inquiring about his whereabouts.
Separately, on Monday, 28 October, two Himilo Somali TV journalists, Ibrahim Abdiweli Guled (reporter) and Yahye Mohamud Hersi (cameraman), were detained five hours and beaten by NISA agents while covering the assassination of Mogadishu businessmen by al-Shabaab in Daaru Salam district in Mogadishu.
SJS is deeply concerned about the threats and harassment directed at Himilo Somali TV’s journalists and their editor. We urge NISA to cease its search for journalist Nur Abdirahman Nur and withdraw the agents stationed outside Himilo Somali TV’s premises. SJS stands in solidarity with colleagues at Himilo Somali TV, who have faced unjustified threats in recent days
“It is shocking and disgraceful that, rather than securing the citizens and business community of Mogadishu, Somalia’s national intelligence agency is conducting raids and threatening journalists for simply reporting on security failures,” said SJS Secretary General Abdalle Mumin. “We call on NISA to halt these threats and withdraw all agents stationed outside Himilo Somali TV’s offices. Security agencies in Somalia should protect the civilian population, not target journalists.”
“Journalists should feel safe when reporting on matters of public interest, including security shortcomings. They represent the community, including the business community, which is agonized by this wave of assassinations in Mogadishu, and journalists remain the only voice these communities have,” Mr. Mumin added.