South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy has gone missing in Djibouti while on a reporting trip. His family said on Sunday that they have received no information from authorities about his whereabouts since he was last heard from on Saturday. Reddy, the Africa editor for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), arrived in the Horn of Africa nation on Thursday and had been in regular contact with family and colleagues before communication abruptly ceased.
Reddy's brother, Niall Reddy, said on Sunday that they don’t have any clear updates on his status. The last contact Micah had with his brother was at about 11am on Saturday, while his last known communication with colleagues was at about 1pm the same day. Several hours later, messages sent to him via Signal and WhatsApp were no longer being delivered, prompting concern among relatives and colleagues.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed concern over Reddy's disappearance, saying it was “increasingly alarmed” that more than 24 hours had elapsed since anyone had been able to reach him or his fixer, Kooki Mahmoud. CPJ Africa director, Angela Quintal, urged Djiboutian authorities to establish Reddy's whereabouts, credibly confirm his safety, and promptly release him if detained.
According to Niall Reddy, his brother had not reported any threats before the trip and was not investigating the Djiboutian government during his visit. Reddy was staying at the Escale International hotel in Djibouti’s capital and was last known to have met Mahmoud in the hotel lobby, according to his family. Relatives said the hotel had provided little information about his movements after he was last seen.
A senior official in the Djibouti presidency, Naguib Ali Taher, said Reddy had not registered for media accreditation in Djibouti. He added that they need to check the tourist visa records to see if Reddy had entered the country on a tourist visa. South African and British officials had sought information from Djibouti’s government after the journalist’s disappearance, but the family had so far received no clarity on his whereabouts and no official comment from authorities.
The CPJ understands that Reddy's reporting was not focused on Djibouti, and his family and colleagues are working to establish his whereabouts. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of journalists working in the region. Reddy's family and the CPJ are urging Djiboutian authorities to provide information about his status and ensure his safe return.
A spokesperson for the South African government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The incident is being closely monitored by journalist advocacy groups and Reddy's employer, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
Key points
- Micah Reddy, a South African investigative journalist, has gone missing in Djibouti while on a reporting trip.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Djiboutian authorities to establish Reddy's whereabouts and ensure his safe return.
- Reddy's family and colleagues are working to establish his whereabouts, but have received no information from authorities.
