Human Rights

'Network abuse': Attacks on 3 media sites involved services of US, UK firms

By Jonathan Rozen - for the Committee to Protect Journalists

ICRC: Sharp increase in conflict-related injuries in Somalia amid escalating violence

GAROWE (HORN OBSERVER) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports a significant surge in conflict-related injuries in Somalia this year.

Devastating fire engulfs historic Somali town of Milxo, leaving residents homeless

GAROWE (HORN OBSERVER) – In the remote town of Milxo, nestled within the mountainous Sanaag region, residents were abruptly awakened last Thursday by a massive fire that ultimately ravaged much of the town's homes and businesses.

Amnesty tells UN Human Rights Council to renew mandate of investigative body to Ethiopia as crisis spreads

NAIROBI (HORN OBSERVER) – Member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) must renew the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) and maintain international scrutiny on the country, Amnesty International said today, as the commission releases…

Beledweyne Airport Shutdown: Dispute over tax revenue paralyze vital lifeline

BELEDWEYNE (HORN OBSERVER) – A deepening divide and the dysfunction of federal governance have brought Beledweyne city and its surrounding areas in the Hiiraan region to a standstill for the second consecutive day, with all flight services at the Ugaas Khalif airport suspended.

Legal Counsels File Complaint Against Somali Government to UN HRC On Behalf of SJS Secretary-General Abdalle Mumin

MOGADISHU, Somalia / Washington, U.S - Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR) have submitted a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee for the case of SJS Secretary-General and human rights defender, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin.

Local doctor shot dead by gunmen in central Somalia town

GALKAYO (HORN OBSERVER) – Armed assailants mercilessly shot and killed Dr. Sakariye Abdi Jama, a young medical professional, at his Al-Haramayn Clinic in the Mudug region's town of Galkayo, central Somalia on Saturday evening September 9.

Landmine explosion claims Lives of 2 children near Laascaanood, 2 others critically injured

Laascaanood (Horn Observer) At least two children lost their lives, while two others suffered critical injuries after inadvertently stepping on unexploded explosives left near a military used by Somaliland forces outside Laascaanood, locals said on Friday.

SJS reveals involvement of U.S company in DDoS attack, raises questions about funding sources

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), in collaboration with Qurium, a nonprofit foundation, has revealed that the U.S. company RayoByte, along with its affiliate Sprious, controlled the infrastructure used for the Distributed Denial-of-Service Attack (DDoS) that temporarily…

Report reveals corruption and Russian Oligarchy's connection in Somalia's Central Bank

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – A 62-page document presented by Member of Parliament, Abdullahi Hashi Abib, Chair of the Accountability and Transparent Caucus of the Somali Federal Parliament's House of the People, reveals a web of corruption within the Central Bank of Somalia.

SJS: Journalist Mohamed Bulbul's phone devices compromised during incommunicado detention

MOGADISHU – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses profound concern over the apparent compromise of SJS Secretary of Information and Human Rights, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul's phone devices, a matter that has recently come to our attention.

SJS and RFK Human Rights call for Mohamed Bulbul's immediate release

MOGADISHU/ WASHINGTON DC– The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR) strongly denounce the ongoing arbitrary detention of SJS Information and Human Rights Secretary, Mohamed Ibrahim Osman Bulbul and demand his immediate and unconditional release. We are deeply…

Somalia's corrupt police to use EUCAP email as evidence against journalist held incommunicado

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – Somali police officers are preparing to use an email correspondence sent by the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP) as incriminating evidence against detained journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, who is presently held incommunicado at Mogadishu's…

CPJ calls on military in Gabon to ensure press freedom and journalists' safety following coup

Dakar, August 30, 2023—Following the military coup in Gabon that removed President Ali Bongo from power on Wednesday, August 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:

Somalia: Bulbul held incommunicado, two more reporters briefly detained and a minority radio station attacked

MOGADISHU – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) expresses its concern over the escalating surge of threats and acts of violence flagrantly targeting journalists and media stations who are exposing government corruption and insecurity by the Somali police officers and the national intelligence personnel,…

CPJ: Two Somali journalists arrested for reporting on police, 1 remains in custody

Nairobi, August 23, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday called on Somali authorities to unconditionally release journalist Mohamed Ibrahim Osman Bulbul and stop intimidating media covering the security sector.

Cyber attack: Qurium uncovers DoS attack targeting SJS

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – In a recent revelation, non-profit digital forensic group, Qurium Media Foundation, announced its role in countering an ongoing denial-of-service (DoS) attack directed at the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) website since the preceding Friday.

Somalia orders blocking of TikTok and Telegram following street protests in the capital

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – After a day of street protests that rocked the capital, Mogadishu, the Somali government has unveiled its intention to block access to TikTok and Telegram, two prominent social media platforms widely used for sharing videos and communication.

Somalia: Ethnic Jareer Weyne protests against detention of General Sheegow in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - On Sunday, the streets of Mogadishu witnessed the surge of angry protestors from the ethnic Jareer Weyne minority group, rallying for the immediate release of detained army general Sheegow Ahmed, a figure celebrated within their community.

Somali journalist unlawfully held for exposing police training fund embezzlement involving EU

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – The European Union (EU) mission known as EUCAP Somalia has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction in the wake of a report alleging corruption reported by local media last week, a senior Somali police told a court in Mogadishu on Saturday.