Mogadishu, Somalia – Somali police on Saturday arrested the Director General of Shabelle Media Network, Abuukar Sheikh Mohamud Abuukar, known as “Sky,” along with the network’s Deputy Director, Mohamud Abdinasir Soofeysane, amid escalating concerns about the shrinking space for press freedom in the country.
The two media executives were reportedly summoned separately and subsequently detained at the Hamarweyne District Police Station in Mogadishu. In response, Shabelle Media Network issued a strong condemnation of the arrests, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
“This unlawful detention of our senior staff represents a blatant attack on media freedom. We call for their unconditional release and urge authorities to cease their intimidation of journalists,” the network stated.
The detentions come on the heels of the brief arrest of Reuters photojournalist Faisal Omar by Banadir Regional Police on Friday, an incident that has further intensified fears of a government-led crackdown on independent journalism.
The opposition Himilo Qaran party, led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, also condemned the arrests, describing them as part of a broader campaign to silence dissent and restrict media freedoms.
“This shows that the government and Banadir Regional Police have ignored repeated calls to stop suppressing the free media,” the party said in a statement. The party also demanded the release of the two Shabelle journalists as well as Abdirahman Suleyman Jama, chairman of the Somali People’s Political Organization.
Abdirahman Suleyman was arrested last week on allegations of “activities against national security,” although the police have yet to disclose formal charges. His arrest followed a televised interview on Shabelle TV in which he harshly criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing his administration of military failures and financial mismanagement.
Sources suggest that Deputy Director Mohamud Abdinasir Soofeysane’s arrest is linked to his role in broadcasting that interview.
The Federal Government of Somalia has not issued an official statement regarding the arrests. However, the incidents have drawn sharp criticism from press freedom organizations, with Somalia continuing to rank among the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.
