Abdalle Ahmed Mumin is a renowned Somali journalist and human rights defender who was arbitrarily arrested, detained, and tortured on three different occasions by Somali state security forces in reprisal for his work.

Mumin worked as a freelancer and for international news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal. He co-founded the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), and, as Secretary General of SJS, advocated for press freedom and an enabling civic space in Somalia. His work often criticized the Somali government.

In October 2022, Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) officers arrested Mumin without a warrant after he refused to retract a press statement expressing concerns that a directive from Somalia’s Ministry of Information, which “prohibited dissemination of extremism ideology messages,” could restrict legitimate free expression. Mumin was arbitrarily detained in abhorrent conditions.

Later that month, he was arrested again when he attempted to travel to Kenya to seek medical care for injuries sustained in detention.

In February 2023, NISA officers arbitrarily arrested Mumin for a third time and threatened to kill him if he resisted. He was detained and tortured by officers for 33 days.

In April 2024, RFK Human Rights was informed that a regional court ordered the suspension of SJS’s bank accounts, shortly after the UN Human Rights Committee brought Mumin’s case to the attention of the Somali government.

Mumin continues to deal with the significant physical and mental health impacts of his repeated detention and ill-treatment to this day. He currently lives in exile.

Why is This a Key Case?

Mumin’s case is a brutal example of the repression of Somali authorities against any criticism and of the extent they are willing to go to retaliate against those that speak out and expose abuses.

The complaint filed by RFK Human Rights and SJS claims Somali authorities arrested and detained Mumin and prevented him from leaving Somalia as reprisal for his work as a journalist, and to dissuade him from continuing his work. Such violations may also amount to broader civic space violations against Somali citizens by impacting their right to access to information. Furthermore, the Somali government may have suspended SJS’s bank accounts in reprisal for the complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee.

How is RFK Human Rights Supporting Mumin?

In September 2023, RFK Human Rights submitted a complaint to the United Nations Human Rights Committee. In May 2024, RFK Human Rights submitted an update to the Committee regarding the suspension of SJS’s bank accounts in reprisal for the complaint.

Name of the case (as it appears in the respective legal mechanism)

Abdalle Ahmed Mumin v. Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia

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Month/Year of filing

September 2023

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Legal mechanism in which the case is being litigated

United Nations Human Rights Committee

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Rights and legal instruments alleged violated (OR found to have been violated)

Articles 7, 9, 12, 19, 23, and 24 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

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Procedural stage

The UN Human Rights Committee has yet to release a decision. An extension was provided until November 25, 2025.

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Counsel

RFK Human Rights, Somali Journalist Syndicate

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