The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemned the recent attacks on two radio stations, the detention of a journalist, and the ongoing trials against at least eight others in Eastern Africa.
Local Somali radio stations Codka Hiiraan and Dhusamareb were seized on 22 June, and the editor of the latter was detained briefly on the same day before being released, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said in a written statement.
In Sudan, another eight journalists at least are awaiting trial as a result of their critical reporting, while publication of the country’s daily Ajrass al-Hurria was prevented, according to freelance journalist and human rights activist Abdelgadir Mohamed Abdelgadir.
The workflow of the Sudanese newspaper was interrupted after “individuals from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) ordered the printing press administration not to handle all issues to the distribution company,” the statement by Abdelgadir read. This is reportedly the fifth time the medium has experienced such interference by the authorities in the past three months. The motives, however, remain unclear.
Journalist Omar el Garrai and the editor of Ajrass al-Hurria newspaper Abdallah Sheikh are currently being tried in the capital, Khartoum, for publishing an article revealing the brutal treatment of activist Safiya Ishag, who was allegedly tortured and repeatedly raped by members of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) while in their custody.
Other journalists facing criminal charges because of their reporting on Ishag’s case are Faisal Mohamed Saleh, Fatimah Ghazali, Saadalddin Ibrahim and Amal Habani, according to the statement. Habani has reportedly been dismissed from her job under pressure from the security forces. At least 30 journalists are reported to have been arrested in Sudan this year as a result of their profession.
In Somalia, journalist Abdikafi Hashi Farah of the Dhusamareb radio station was briefly detained after the Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama group seized and closed down the news outlet, NUSOJ reported. Farah was reportedly released later the same night; however, the radio remains off the air.
Meanwhile, members of the al-Shabaab militant group – which controls the town of Beletwein – arrived at radio Codka Hiiraan and took over the premises, according to NUSOJ.
“They have ordered us to leave the radio station and they have completely seized,” the NUSOJ quoted an unnamed journalist as saying.
The reasons for the seizure of the radio station are reportedly related to the refusal of the journalists to broadcast al-Shabaab’s propaganda.
IPI Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills said: “We strongly condemn any attempt of the authorities to punish journalists simply for practicing their profession. We call on Sudan to drop the charges against the journalists and on Somalia to cease controlling news outlets. Freedom of expression cannot exist in an environment in which constant control and intimidation of journalists prevails.”
