Amnesty International has previously reported on violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in south-central Somalia. As the country prepares for elections, it is important for authorities at both regional and federal levels to allow journalists to do their work without restrictions

Authorities in Somalia’s Puntland regional state have escalated their attacks on media freedom by intimidating, harassing and arbitrarily arresting journalists ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections, Amnesty International said today.

Four journalists have been arbitrarily arrested in Puntland’s capital Garowe and the sea-side town of Bosaso in the past two and a half months in what is a worrying development for media freedom in the region as the country inches towards delayed elections.

“The spike in arrests of journalists in Puntland shows an escalating crackdown on media freedom. These arrests will have a chilling effect on the work of journalists before, during and after the election,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

“The arrests are a threat to the work of journalists, media freedom and the right to freedom of expression. Authorities must bring this practice to an end, and respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone and media freedom.”

In a related development, on 1 March, independent journalist Jamal Farah Adan was shot dead by unidentified armed attackers as he sat chatting with a group of friends at a shop in Galkayo. The armed group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the killing. President Deni on 6 March said some individuals had been arrested in Galkayo and were being investigated in connection with Jamal’s killing.

Al-Shabaab and all other armed groups must stop targeting journalists. Puntland authorities should swiftly conclude their announced investigations into Jamal’s killing and bring suspected perpetrators to justice   in fair trials.

Amnesty International has previously reported on violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in south-central Somalia. As the country prepares for elections, it is important for authorities at both regional and federal levels to allow journalists to do their work without restrictions.