MOGADISHU – On Monday, journalist Hafid Nor Barre was unlawfully prevented and questioned at Aden Adde International Airport while arriving in Mogadishu. Hafid Nor was among the journalists who recently covered a conference in Kismayo and appears to have been deliberately targeted upon his arrival.
Upon landing, he was stopped and questioned about the purpose of his travel. Despite providing clear and legitimate explanations consistent with his professional duties as a journalist, he was subjected to intimidating remarks and unjustified obstruction.
This incident is not an isolated case. Hafid Nor has previously faced similar unlawful interference, indicating a troubling pattern of repeated violations of his right to freely and safely carry out his journalistic work.
“Journalists play a vital role in informing the public, and security agencies must not be used to restrict lawful media activity,” said Hanad Ali Guled, Spokesperson for Safe Reporters of Somalia (SRS).
SRS reiterates that any form of harassment, intimidation, or obstruction of journalists constitutes a serious violation of press freedom and calls on the relevant authorities to immediately end such practices and ensure the safety and protection of media professionals
