Abdalle Mumin is a journalist and human rights activist based in Somalia. In October 2022, he was arrested at the Aden Adde airport as he prepared to leave for Nairobi, subsequently being held for 33 days at the Mogadishu Central Prison. During his time in detention, he continued to work as a journalist, documenting various human rights abuses. His detention and subsequent release have brought international attention to the human rights abuses taking place in Somalia.
Mumin’s advocacy work as a journalist began when he was a young man living in an IDP camp, where he witnessed marginalization and violations of human rights against vulnerable communities, women, and girls, as well as food being stolen by powerful clan militia. He decided to become a journalist to speak out against injustices, not to gain fame.
As a critical journalist, Mumin had to flee for his life and lived in exile in Kenya for three years before co-founding the Somali Journalists Syndicate in May 2019, an organization that speaks out for Somali journalists and defends the freedom of the press. They document an increase in cases of human rights violations against journalists in Somalia, with many journalists leaving the country due to the repressive laws, tough conditions, and threat of reprisals. However, not everyone can leave, so many journalists have turned to self-censorship to protect themselves.
Mumin believes that if you want to shut the civic space, you attack journalists, and that is happening now in Somalia. He was targeted as he was one of the most vocal journalists in the country, speaking out against human rights violations and corruption. The situation has gravely affected how journalists work, but his mind remains clear, more determined than ever to continue his advocacy work, which aims to protect and support his fellow journalists.
Journalists are saviors – they save lives, says Mumin. Their work is essential and important. Silence should never be an option, and the best way to combat oppression is to speak out against it. As such, Mumin pledges to never be intimidated into silence and continue his important work.
In sum, Mumin’s story highlights the current state of journalism and human rights in Somalia. Multiple organizations documented an increase in human rights violations against journalists, leading to what Mumin perceives as the shutting down of civic space. It is crucial that the international community pays attention and continues to support journalists like Mumin, who works tirelessly to expose injustices and amplify the voices of marginalized groups.
<< photo by Dalmar Travels >>
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