General News
CAJ, CPJ Demand Answers As South African Journalist, Fixer Go Missing In Djibouti
By Iyojo Ameh
The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have called on authorities in Djibouti to immediately establish the whereabouts of South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy and his fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, who have reportedly been unreachable for more than 24 hours.
CAJ, in a statement issued on Sunday, said it was increasingly concerned over the disappearance of Reddy, Africa coordinator of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), and Mahmoud while in the Horn of Africa country.
The organisation joined CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal in demanding that Djiboutian authorities urgently confirm the safety of the two journalists and provide information on their status.
Quintal said the families and colleagues of Reddy and Mahmoud urgently needed answers, while calling on the authorities to credibly establish their whereabouts and release them promptly if they were being detained.
CAJ said Reddy had not travelled to Djibouti to investigate or report on the country, adding that there was therefore no justification for his detention.
The organisation urged Djiboutian authorities to immediately locate the two men, confirm that they are safe and, if they are in custody, release them unconditionally.
It also called for the families and colleagues of the journalists to be informed without delay.
Reddy reportedly arrived in Djibouti on Thursday from Johannesburg through Addis Ababa and checked into the Escale International Hotel.
According to colleagues and press-freedom organisations, his visit was intended to be brief and linked to a longer-term investigation outside Djibouti.
He was last known to have communicated with colleagues around midday on Saturday before becoming unreachable.
CAJ President Michael Adeboboye described the development as a serious concern for press freedom and journalist safety across Africa.
“African journalism cannot function when colleagues disappear after checking into a hotel,” Adeboboye said.
He disclosed that CAJ had activated its Continental Safety Protocol and its new International Connection of Journalists alliance in response to the development.
Describing the situation as a “continental emergency,” Adeboboye said CAJ was working directly with CPJ Africa and other partners to establish the journalists’ whereabouts.
He added that the organisation would continue to press for answers on the status and safety of the two men.
Reddy, a former reporter with South African investigative publication amaBhungane, is based in Johannesburg and is known for investigative work focusing on governance and corruption.
Press-freedom organisations have urged Djiboutian authorities to treat the case as urgent and provide a transparent account of what happened to Reddy and Mahmoud.
As of Sunday, the two men had not been publicly confirmed safe.
