The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and continued detention of female journalist Suways Jama Mohamud (Suways Ga’ayte) by the Puntland authorities, describing the case as a politically motivated assault on media freedom and independent journalism because, since her arrest, NUSOJ has engaged directly with the Puntland leadership and relevant authorities to establish the legal basis for her detention and to seek her release through dialogue, yet despite these sustained efforts the authorities have failed to provide any credible legal justification for her arrest or continued detention, leading the Union to conclude that the arrest and prosecution of Suways Ga’ayte are deliberate acts intended to punish her for her independent journalism and critical reporting in the public interest.
Suways Ga’ayte is a respected journalist based in Garowe, widely recognised for her reporting on social and public affairs and for giving voice to the concerns and aspirations of ordinary citizens. Through her reporting and interviews, she has consistently examined issues affecting the public, including shortcomings in governance, accountability and the delivery of basic public services. Her journalism has, on numerous occasions, been critical of the Puntland political leadership. NUSOJ believes it is this independent and critical reporting, rather than any legitimate criminal conduct, that has led to her arrest and continued detention.
On the morning of 2 July 2026, Puntland police officers arrested Suways Ga’ayte at her home in Garowe without following established legal procedures and transferred her to Garowe Central Prison, a facility intended for convicted prisoners. According to information obtained by NUSOJ, the Puntland Public Prosecutor subsequently requested the Garowe Court to authorise her detention for 21 days while preparing criminal charges against her. The Court instead granted a seven-day detention order pending investigation.
From the moment of her arrest, NUSOJ initiated direct engagement with senior Puntland leaders and relevant authorities to establish the legal basis for her detention and to seek her release through dialogue. The Union made repeated efforts in good faith to resolve the matter without further escalation. Despite these sustained engagements, the authorities failed to provide any credible legal justification for her arrest, detention or the criminal proceedings being prepared against her. Their failure to explain the case’s basis reinforces NUSOJ’s belief that the proceedings are politically motivated to intimidate and silence a journalist whose reporting challenges the political establishment.
“The continued detention of Suways Ga’ayte is wholly unjustifiable and amounts to a politically orchestrated attempt to punish her for her independent and critical reporting. No journalist should ever face arrest or prosecution for carrying out legitimate professional work or for reporting in the public interest. Criticism of those exercising public authority is an essential part of a democratic society and can never justify trumped-up criminal charges simply because those in power find such reporting uncomfortable,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “The Puntland leadership must immediately abandon this dangerous course of action, end the continued detention of Suways Ga’ayte and ensure her immediate and unconditional release.”
The case of Suways Ga’ayte exemplifies the growing misuse of criminal law to suppress independent journalism and intimidate critical voices. Criminal prosecution must never be used as a tool to punish journalists for carrying out legitimate professional work. Such actions violate constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and media freedom, breach Somalia’s obligations under regional and international human rights law and reflect an alarming drift towards authoritarian practices that restrict media freedom, undermine democratic governance, weaken public accountability and erode public confidence in the rule of law.
NUSOJ expresses its full solidarity with journalists in Garowe who yesterday took to the streets in peaceful protest against the detention of their colleague. The Union commends their courage, professionalism and determination in defending media freedom under increasingly difficult circumstances. Their demonstration reflects the growing concern within Somalia’s media community over attempts to intimidate independent journalists through arbitrary arrest, politically motivated prosecution and abuse of state power. NUSOJ fully supports their legitimate demands and considers this attack on media freedom to be wholly unacceptable.
“The criminal justice system must never be used as a tool to punish journalists for independent reporting. We call upon the Puntland judicial authorities to discontinue the proceedings against Suways Ga’ayte and withdraw all charges arising from her legitimate journalistic work. We equally urge the Puntland leadership to end the misuse of criminal law against journalists, respect constitutional guarantees of media freedom and ensure a safe and enabling environment in which journalists can carry out their work without fear of intimidation, arbitrary arrest or political retaliation,” added Osman.
NUSOJ will continue to pursue this case through all available national, regional and international human rights and media freedom mechanisms until Suways Ga’ayte is free, the politically motivated prosecution against her is abandoned and those responsible for violating her rights are held accountable.
