Somalia: Two journalists arrested in Baidoa over Facebook reporting, whereabouts of one of them still unknown

On 6 September, journalist Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi known as Jakataa was arrested by security services in Baidoa, according to colleagues who requested anonymity for fear of their safety. His whereabouts have remained unknown since his arrest. When SJS sought clarification from the Baidoa police, no response was provided. However, Abdirahman's colleagues told SJS that they believe he was detained over a post he published on his Facebook page on 5 September, which said: "Can you name the only Digil/Mirifle clan whose members are being attacked by an aircraft, and the only clan whose members are being protected by an aircraft?" Following the post, Abdirahman shared another post in which a seemingly pro-authorities Facebook user labelled him "a journalist who sympathizes with the Khawarij," a term commonly used to refer to Al-Shabaab militants. Abdirahman responded to the post: "You've made the label of 'Khawarij' so cheap that anyone can be branded with it. Therefore, act better than this." Local media and opposition politicians have reported repeated drone strikes targeting areas surrounding Baidoa, which they believe are being conducted by Turkish and Somali forces. The strikes have reportedly hit villages predominantly inhabited by members of Abdiaziz Laftagareen's Harin clan. Meanwhile, an airstrike reportedly conducted by Turkey targeted Doolow town in Jubaland's Gedo region on 3 September, reportedly injuring at least four people. The arrest of Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi marks the second time he has been detained by authorities in Baidoa. On 26 May 2026, Southwest State police in Baidoa arrested him a day after he interviewed women khat sellers who complained about an armed robbery allegedly carried out by Somali federal government forces deployed in the city, as SJS documented at the time. He was released two days later. On 8 September, Mohamud Ali Abdullahi, known as Baxar, a journalist with Codka Baay iyo Bakool media in Baidoa, was arrested while on his way home.  Mohamud Baxar told SJS that armed officers of the Southwest State intelligence service, also known locally as NISA Southwest, who were travelling in a Toyota pickup vehicle, stopped him on the road and ordered him to get into the vehicle. They then removed his shirt, blindfolded him and took him to Baidoa Police Station, where he was held until Wednesday, when he was released after questioning. He said the officers also forced him to unlock his mobile phone and access his Facebook account. The officers reviewed posts he had published on 22 May about rising armed robberies in Baidoa, including reports about mobile-phone robberies allegedly carried out by armed men wearing military uniforms. He also said the officers questioned him about another post he published on 3 September concerning fighting in Baidoa. During the interrogation, Mohamud Baxar said the officers were angered by his reporting that "forces aligned with Laftagareen had attacked Baidoa," rather than reporting that Al-Shabaab had attacked the city. In June 2026, the Somali federal government installed former parliamentary speaker Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe as the new leader of Southwest State following an election process widely criticised as lacking transparency. The election came after an armed operation in late March led by the federal government and allied militias, supported by Turkey, to oust Abdiaziz Laftagareen as the regional leader. Since then, Baidoa has descended into an armed struggle between the two sides. Journalists recently told SJS that local authorities have repeatedly pressured them to use the term "Al-Shabaab" when reporting on forces aligned with Laftagareen. Some local journalists have complied with the pressure, while others have opposed it. On Monday, Bashir Mohamed Abdullahi died after being shot during clashes in Baidoa last week, highlighting the serious threats faced by journalists operating in the city. SJS is deeply concerned by the escalating pressure on journalists in Baidoa and the apparent use of detention, intimidation and threats to influence independent reporting. Journalists must be able to report on political and security developments without being forced to adopt the narrative of any party to the conflict. "We call on the Southwest State authorities to immediately disclose Abdirahman Mohamed Abdi's whereabouts, release him unconditionally, and ensure that journalists are not detained, threatened or otherwise harassed for carrying out their professional duties," said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin. "We remind the competing sides of the conflict in Southwest State that the safety of journalists is essential to the public's right to access information and future accountability. Therefore we call on all sides to protect journalists, stop the pressure on independent reporting and create an environment where media workers can operate without fear," Mr. Mumin added.