| Garowe, Puntland – 21 July 2026: The Media Association of Puntland (MAP) strongly condemns the growing pattern of arrests, detention, and legal actions targeting journalists across Puntland. Within just over five weeks, four journalists have been arrested in Bosaso, Garowe, and Gardho while carrying out their professional responsibilities. These incidents represent a serious setback for press freedom, freedom of expression, the rule of law, and the public’s constitutional right to access information on issues of public interest. They also raise serious concerns regarding the misuse of state institutions, due process violations, and the failure to respect the legal safeguards established to protect journalists and media freedom. “A government that respects the rule of law has nothing to fear from a free press. Journalists are not criminals, and journalism is not a crime. The repeated arrests and legal actions against journalists are not only attacks on individual reporters, but also an attack on the Constitution and every citizen’s right to know. Issues arising from journalism must be addressed through the mechanisms established by the Puntland Media Law, not through intimidation, detention, or criminal proceedings,” said Mohamed Dahir Warsame, Chairperson of MAP. |
| The latest incident occurred on 20 July 2026, when Shucayb Daad , a reporter with Sahal Cable TV, was arrested by officers from the Puntland Intelligence and Security Agency (PISA) at Bosaso Airport while escorting a travelling family. At the time of issuing this statement, authorities have not disclosed the legal basis for his arrest or communicated any formal charges against him. |
| MAP emphasizes that PISA has no jurisdiction to arrest journalists in relation to their professional duties. The agency’s mandate is to address external security threats and protect citizens from serious harm and security risks; it is not a body responsible for regulating journalism or handling complaints arising from media work. Any concerns related to journalistic activities must be addressed through the procedures established under the Puntland Media Law. |
| The arrest of Shucayb follows the detention of another Bosaso-based journalist, Mohamed Jama Mahmoud (Photo left side), who was arrested by PISA on 14 July 2026 after reporting on the closure of Bosaso Port and the public debate surrounding taxation and trade. His reporting focused on issues affecting the economy and the wider public interest. He was released on 18 July 2026. |
| In Garowe, journalist Suweys Jama Mahamud (Photo leftside) was arrested at her residence on 2 July 2026 in connection with her journalistic work and detained at Garowe Central Prison. She appeared before the Garowe court on 13 July 2026 and again on 15 July 2026. |
| Following MAP’s legal intervention and support to her defence, Suweys was granted bail and released on 15 July 2026. During the proceedings, with support from the defence team, MAP challenged the court’s jurisdiction over the case, arguing that matters related to journalistic work must be handled through the framework established by the Puntland Media Law. The law provides a complaints mechanism through the Puntland Media Council, which is mandated to receive and adjudicate complaints involving journalists and media organizations. Taking such cases directly through criminal proceedings bypasses the legally established media accountability system. |
| The first incident in this recent series occurred on 13 June 2026, when journalist Mohamed Abdi (photo left side) was arrested in Gardho after reporting on insecurity and street crime affecting local communities. He remained in detention until 18 June 2026, when he was released following MAP’s intervention. |
| Taken together, these incidents demonstrate a troubling pattern in which journalists reporting on security, governance, economic affairs, and public accountability are increasingly exposed to arrest and detention simply for performing their professional duties. Such actions undermine public confidence in the rule of law, weaken protections for independent journalism, and create an environment of fear and self-censorship. The Puntland Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and press freedom, while the Puntland Media Law provides the appropriate legal framework for addressing complaints related to media work. Complaints against journalists must therefore be handled through these established mechanisms rather than through security institutions, detention, or criminal prosecution. “The protection of journalists is not only about protecting media workers; it is about protecting society’s right to information and ensuring accountability. We call on the authorities to respect the law, immediately release Shucayb Daad, withdraw the case against Suweys Gacayte, and ensure that journalism is never treated as a criminal offence,” added Mohamed Dahir Warsame, Chairperson of MAP. MAP calls for the immediate release of journalist Shucayb Daad, the withdrawal and dismissal of the case against Suweys Jama Mahamud (Suweys Gacayte), and an end to the use of arrest, detention, and criminal proceedings against journalists for carrying out their legitimate professional responsibilities. The release of journalists following MAP’s legal intervention does not erase the harm caused by their detention or the broader impact on press freedom. These incidents must serve as a turning point: state institutions must respect the constitutional protections for freedom of expression and ensure that journalists can perform their essential role without fear, intimidation, or interference. MAP and Puntland’s media fraternity remain committed to defending press freedom, promoting accountability, and ensuring that the public’s right to information is protected. |
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