Somalia: Escalating attacks against journalists in May raise alarm

The IPI global network expresses deep concern over the escalating attacks, arrests, intimidation, and harassment of journalists in Somalia and especially throughout the month of May 2026. IPI calls on the international diplomatic community to intensify engagement with Somali authorities and urge them to prioritise the protection of journalists and press freedom. As Somalia has been holding local council and state assembly elections and broader national conversations concerning the current government's term and democratic processes, attacks on journalists and restrictions on independent reporting risk have increased. IPI and its partners documented multiple cases of attacks against journalists in Somalia, including against climate and environmental journalists. IPI has also noted an intensifying crackdown on media coverage of forced evictions. A series of incidents in May underscores a deeply troubling pattern of repression against journalists in the country. On May 6, journalist Shukri Aabi Abdi and cameraman Abdullahi Abdifatah Sidow from Shabelle TV were arrested by armed police officers in Mogadishu's Hamar Jajab district while covering forced evictions. The officers allegedly assaulted Shukri, injuring her finger, confiscated her phone, and seized the team's camera equipment before transporting both journalists to the Hamar Jajab police station. They were later released the same day without any charges brought against them. Read the Original Story from International Press Institute