Journalist detained at ATMIS camp in Burhakaba, his equipment confiscated 

Ethiopian troops have been occupying a water well in town of Burhakaba Bay Region in Somalia, preventing IDP’s displaced by drought from accessing clean drinking water, A brave local journalist broke the story on 3-October and as a result was arrested by the Ethiopian occupiers…

According to the journalist and Arlaadi Media Network’s director, Yusuf Mohamed Adam was detained by South West State security forces on Monday a day after he wrote on his Facebook page that the Ethiopian forces were occupying the only community-owned water well in Burhakaba while many of the locals were suffering due to lack of water as a result of the severe drought has affected people and animals in the region. Yusuf was detained near his home in Burhakaba and was held at a narrow tent with no ventilation at the ATMIS camp where he was blindfolded and handcuffed by the Ethiopian soldiers at the camp.   While in the detention, the Ethiopian forces, through their translator, interrogated Yusuf’s journalism work and his post on the ATMIS forces.

Former Burhakaba district commissioner, Mohamed Ibrahim Nur, also confirmed that the South West State security forces in Burhakaba led by their commander Fatir Ibrahim initially detained the journalist on Monday morning before handing over to the Ethiopian contingent of ATMIS in Burhakaba, about 164 kilometers (102 miles) south of Mogadishu.  Arlaadi Media Director, Ahmed Ali Nur said despite their reporter was freed without charge on the same day, however his equipment is still held by the Ethiopian-ATMIS forces.

“”It is unfortunate that the only journalist in Burhakaba is now facing fear after being arrested and threatened by ATMIS Ethiopian forces. We demand that this incident be investigated and those responsible – especially the ATMIS soldiers, be brought to justice,” SOMA Secretary-General, Mohamed Osman Makaran said.