South African journalist Micah Reddy, who was detained by Djibouti authorities last weekend, has been released from custody. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) disclosed his release in a statement on Tuesday. Reddy, the ICIJ African coordinator, was arrested alongside a local journalist, Mohamed Ismael, on Saturday. The ICIJ stated that Reddy was detained for "failing to obtain media accreditation," despite not being on reporting duty.
According to the ICIJ editor-in-chief, Fergus Shiel, Reddy was visiting Djibouti for three days, not to report on the country, but to learn about a long-term investigation. He was staying at the Escale International Hotel and had planned to meet a local fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the hotel lobby. After Reddy texted that everything was fine, the organisation lost touch with him, which Shiel described as "very, very unusual" given the circumstances.
The ICIJ had expressed grave concern for the safety of its Africa coordinator, who was initially declared missing by his employers after losing contact with him. Reddy's family had also been informed of his disappearance, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) later expressed relief at the news of his release. The CPJ stated that four days in secretive intelligence custody was unacceptable treatment of an investigative journalist.
Reddy and his colleague, Mohamed Ismael, have now been released, and the ICIJ confirmed that Reddy is safe and will soon reunite with his family in South Africa. The organisation did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding Reddy's detention and release. The incident highlights the challenges faced by investigative journalists, particularly in countries with restrictive media policies.
The ICIJ plays a crucial role in supporting investigative journalists worldwide, and Reddy's detention had raised concerns about press freedom in Djibouti. The country has a history of restricting media access and cracking down on journalists who report on sensitive topics. Reddy's release has been welcomed by his colleagues and media advocacy groups, who will likely continue to monitor the situation closely.
The incident also underscores the importance of collaboration between international media organisations and local journalists. Reddy's work on governance, corruption, and regional affairs has been recognised, and his detention had sparked widespread concern. His release has brought relief to his family, colleagues, and media advocacy groups, who value the critical role that investigative journalists play in promoting transparency and accountability.
The release of Micah Reddy and Mohamed Ismael has been confirmed, and Reddy is expected to return home to South Africa soon. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by investigative journalists and the need for continued support and protection for those who work to uncover the truth.
Key points
- The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) confirmed Micah Reddy's release from custody in Djibouti on Tuesday.
- Reddy was detained for "failing to obtain media accreditation," despite not being on reporting duty.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed relief at the news of Reddy's release, stating that four days in secretive intelligence custody was unacceptable treatment of an investigative journalist.
