Mogadishu, Somalia | 2 February 2026. The Somali Media Association (SOMA) strongly condemns the unlawful occupation and blockade of the Risaala Media headquarters on the afternoon of Saturday, 31 January 2026, in Mogadishu. The incident was carried out by an individual claiming to represent the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), accompanied by plainclothes intelligence officers in Xamar Jajab District.
The visibly armed individual entered the Risaala Media premises without legal authorization and imposed a blockade that prevented journalists, staff, clients, and members of the public from entering or exiting the building. During the incident, journalists and media personnel carrying out their professional duties were subjected to intimidation, harassment, and verbal threats for several hours.
Several journalists were detained outside the building and denied entry for an extended period. In addition, staff members’ mobile phones were confiscated, severely disrupting journalistic work and communication.
SOMA considers this incident a serious violation of media freedom, journalists’ safety, and the rule of law. Any act of intimidation, obstruction, or interference with media institutions undermines freedom of expression and the public’s right to access information.
The Secretary General of SOMA, Mohamed Abduwahab, stated:
“SOMA strongly condemns any act of intimidation or harassment against journalists and media institutions. Security agencies must respect the independence of the media and allow journalists to carry out their professional duties freely, safely, and without interference, in full accordance with the law.”
SOMA calls on the relevant authorities, including NISA leadership and other responsible government institutions, to urgently investigate this incident, clarify the legality of the actions taken, and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Furthermore, SOMA urges all security agencies to respect media freedom, uphold the safety and dignity of journalists, and refrain from actions that hinder the lawful operations of media institutions.
The Somali Media Association reaffirms its commitment to defending media freedom, promoting journalists’ safety, and advocating for a free, independent, and professional press in Somalia.