Somali Journalist Abduqadir Mohamed Nur Released with Gag Order After NISA Abduction
Abduqadir Mohamed Nur, a journalist with Risaala Media, was abducted from his home by NISA on October 18. He was released under a gag order prohibiting him from discussing the incident with the media. His treatment included threats and detention, raising serious concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in Somalia.
Abduqadir Mohamed Nur, a journalist also known as Jakarta from Risaala Media, has been released following his abduction by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Mogadishu, which occurred on the morning of October 18. His release, however, comes with a disturbing condition: he is forbidden from discussing the circumstances surrounding his abduction with the media. Witnesses revealed that Jakarta was forcefully removed from his home at 3:00 a.m. by armed men, believed to be NISA agents, who handcuffed him and took him to a waiting vehicle where he was detained and threatened until approximately 6:00 a.m. Subsequently, he was transferred to the infamous Godka Jila’ow prison, where he endured harsh interrogation under the supervision of Mohamed Abdukadir Shakiib, a former al-Shabaab operative now working for NISA. The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has condemned the treatment Jakarta received, criticizing NISA for employing former militant operatives to intimidate journalists. Following the public outcry regarding his abduction, he was eventually released but only on the condition that he maintain silence about his ordeal. Critics have decried this silence as an act of pure intimidation against the press.
The issue of journalist safety and freedom of speech in Somalia is critical, particularly in light of the restrictive practices imposed by government agencies such as the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). Journalists in Somalia often face harassment, abduction, and violence, especially when reporting on sensitive topics involving the government or security forces. Risaala Media, the organization to which Jakarta belongs, has been noted for its independent reporting, which has increasingly placed its staff in peril. The abduction and subsequent release of Jakarta exemplify the ongoing threats to press freedom in the region and the reliance on intimidation tactics by state agents to suppress dissenting voices.
The abduction of Abduqadir Mohamed Nur, a Somali journalist, highlights significant concerns regarding the safety of the press and the infringement upon freedom of speech in Somalia. Despite his release, the condition imposed upon Jakarta to refrain from speaking to the media is alarming and indicative of a broader tactic of oppression. The Somali Journalists Syndicate and Risaala Media have rightfully condemned these actions as unacceptable, pointing out the involvement of former al-Shabaab operatives in the intimidation of journalists, thereby illuminating the precarious position of the media in the country. This incident not only raises questions about the safety of journalists but also about the limitations placed upon their ability to conduct independent reporting without fear of reprisals.
Original Source: hornobserver.com
