Garowe, Puntland – Advocacy Desk, July 2025; The Media Association of Puntland (MAP) expresses its deep concern over the ongoing harassment of journalist Mohamud Nadiif Yusuf Shire, who was recently subjected to an unjustified and alarming interrogation by the Puntland Intelligence and Security Agency (PISA) during a routine work visit to Bosaso.
Nadiif, a MAP member and a freelance journalist, had traveled to Bosaso earlier this week to carry out his professional duties—interviewing sources, collecting news, and fulfilling his role of informing the public and holding power to account. Instead, he became the target of intimidation by an agency entrusted with protecting citizens—not threatening them.
This troubling pattern began earlier this month when Nadiif received an unexplained summons from PISA in Gardo. No reason or allegation was provided, and no legal documents were issued. The situation escalated this week, when he was again summoned—this time in Bosaso. Despite the lack of any formal notice or charges, Nadiif, July 22 complied and appeared at the PISA office, accompanied by MAP Vice Chairperson Mohamed Dek and another colleague.
What followed was not a professional inquiry, but a degrading and unlawful interrogation. Nadiif was questioned about his family background, recent movements, and even falsely linked to Balidhidin—a remote area once associated with extremist elements, which Nadiif has never visited or reported on. These baseless insinuations were clearly aimed at tarnishing his reputation and casting suspicion without merit.
To date, PISA has provided no explanation for the summons, the interrogation, or the decision to place Nadiif under a weekly reporting obligation—a punitive measure typically reserved for criminal suspects. Yet Nadiif has committed no crime. His only “offense” is being a journalist who seeks the truth and informs the public with integrity.
This is not national security; it is an abuse of power. It is not due process; it is persecution. And it is not in line with Puntland’s proud progress on press freedom.
Since 2022, Puntland has been recognized as one of Somalia’s safest regions for journalists. Arrests have decreased, interference has declined, and media independence has strengthened. The treatment of Nadiif marks a dangerous step backward—a direct threat to the gains we have all worked to achieve.
MAP condemns this clear act of intimidation and character assassination. We call for the immediate lifting of the weekly reporting requirement and demand that PISA publicly clarify the legal grounds for its actions. We also urge the Parliament and the Presidency of Puntland to launch an independent investigation into this abuse of authority.
This is a moment for collective action. Civil society, media institutions, lawmakers, and international partners must speak with one voice: journalism is not a crime. Speaking truth to power must never be punished.
MAP stands firmly with Mohamud Nadiif and with every journalist who continues to do their work in the face of fear and repression. We will not be silent. We will not allow intimidation to replace the freedoms enshrined in our society.
Let this serve as a clear message: we will defend press freedom. And we will not back down
