MOGADISHU: Goobjoog Media Group has strongly condemned the detention and alleged abduction of journalist Rowdo Hassan Taakilo by Somali government security forces, describing the incident as an unlawful act and a sign of escalating restrictions on the press in the capital.
In a statement issued by the media house’s senior management, GMG said the journalist was apprehended on Tuesday evening while she was returning to her residence. The organization characterized the arrest as part of a broader pattern of pressure and intimidation against media professionals in recent months, including repeated detentions and alleged abductions targeting journalists.
“Goobjoog Media Group strongly and unequivocally condemns the abduction and illegal detention carried out last night by government forces against journalist Rowdo Hassan Taakilo, one of the staff members of Goobjoog Media, while she was heading to her residence,” the statement read.
GMG called on the Federal Government of Somalia and all security agencies to immediately and unconditionally release the journalist and to respect the independence of the media and the country’s laws protecting press freedom. Security forces have previously been accused of unlawfully detaining journalists, with their whereabouts remaining unknown in some cases. In a similar incident, three journalists from Somalia Media Service TV were reportedly detained after reporting on alleged government-led land grabbing in the Siinaay market area.
The detention of Rowdo Hassan Taakilo follows a series of recent incidents that have raised alarms among press freedom advocates. In October 2025, two Somali journalists were detained in Mogadishu, sparking widespread criticism from political leaders and media advocates. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire condemned those detentions, with Sharif describing the incident as a “calculated assault on free speech.”
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has previously warned at the United Nations Human Rights Council of persistent and grave threats facing media freedom, highlighting increasing cases of journalists being detained for critical reporting, restrictions on access to public information, and the misuse of outdated criminal defamation laws. The union noted that Somalia remains one of the most challenging environments in the world for media practitioners.
The Independent Media Council of Somalia has also condemned the arrest of Shabelle Media Network’s director and deputy director, describing the incident as “reprehensible” and a serious violation of press freedom. ARTICLE 19 highlighted that in a single month, 32 journalists were arbitrarily arrested and detained, most released without charge, emphasizing the need for the Somali government to uphold its constitutional obligation of protecting freedom of expression.
According to data compiled by media rights groups, Somalia recorded at least 41 press freedom violations between January and June 2025, including arrests, assaults, and prosecutions of journalists. Mogadishu remained the most dangerous city for journalists during this period. The government has yet to issue a formal response regarding the detention of Rowdo Hassan Taakilo.
