'We'll rather die than pay', SJS stands firm against extortion demands

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'We'll rather die than pay', SJS stands firm against extortion demands

BY - ABDIRAHMAN MOHAMED

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PHOTO FILE: SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin (centre) reads a press statement during a press conference in Mogadishu in October 2022.

BY - ABDIRAHMAN MOHAMED

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) - In the face of escalating threats targeting the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), Abdalle Mumin, the secretary general of the press freedom organization, has vowed unwavering resistance to extortion, stating, "I have never paid extortion, and we will rather die than pay it now."

Civil society groups in Somalia find themselves besieged by threats from all quarters, including militant groups like Al-Shabaab and corrupt government officials. In addition to security threats and censorship, the perilous demand for extortion payments also poses a constant risk to their operations.

Mumin, steadfast in his stance, has consistently urged civil society organizations to reject any extortion demands, even at the risk of their own operations.

"It is imperative for civil society to set a precedent by eschewing corruption in all its forms, including extortion demands. This is how we can strive for a corruption-free and peaceful Somalia," he emphasized.

In November 2019, Al Adala, then the director general of the Information Ministry suspended two local media organizations for operating without proper documentation, but reinstated them a week later. Confidential sources within those organizations disclosed that their operations resumed only after a payment was allegedly made to Al Adala, though they preferred not to be named.

Recent events have seen renewed threats against SJS emanating from the Somali Office of the Attorney General, with a letter from a Banadir Regional court judge calling for the suspension of SJS bank accounts, citing alleged lack of registration. At least three bank accounts of SJS have been confirmed suspended as a result.

PHOTO: deputy minister Abdirahman Yusuf Omar, nicknamed as Al Adala.

Despite the Ministry of Information having registered SJS, tensions escalated due to SJS's critical press freedom advocacy, which exposed the deputy minister Abdirahman Yusuf Omar, nicknamed as Al Adala's alleged ties to corruption and an armed clan in Mogadishu resulting attacks on journalists.

Mumin's past ordeal, including kidnapping and torture by the Somali National Intelligence Agency (NISA), underscores the perils faced by press freedom advocates. Despite the risks, SJS has taken legal action, filing a complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee, documenting serious human rights violations.

The recent move to freeze SJS's bank accounts is viewed by observers as an attempt to stifle SJS's international efforts to seek accountability. Concerns have been raised by organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), urging authorities to ensure SJS can operate without intimidation.

"The Syndicate’s work is important for press freedom in Somalia and CPJ calls on authorities to ensure that the organization can operate without intimidation," CPJ said in a post on X.

In light of the renewed threats against SJS, particularly concerning judicial interference, a lawyer from the Banadir regional court, who preferred anonymity, revealed to the Horn Observer that the deputy minister had sought court intervention to obstruct SJS's international efforts for accountability.

The lawyer expressed apprehension about the lack of judicial independence and the susceptibility to corruption within the court system, stating, "Our judges and courts lack independence and are highly vulnerable to corrupt influences. Many clandestine dealings occur behind closed doors."

However, Mumin and SJS say they remain resolute in their commitment to championing a corruption-free civil society. And he understand the risks involved.

"We will rather die than pay extortion or give up due to threats whatsoever. Anyone attempting to intimidate us must understand this," Mumin affirmed.

Al Adala did not respond to our calls seeking his response to this article. However, the minister of information, Daud Aweys, himself a former journalist said he has no role in the new threats against SJS and preferred "not to comment."