South African journalist detained in Djibouti released

South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy has been released after being detained by authorities in Djibouti over the weekend.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists confirmed Reddy’s release in a statement on Tuesday, September 22,  saying he was safe and expected to return home. “Micah Reddy has been released from custody in Djibouti. He is safe and will soon reunite with his family in South Africa,” the ICIJ said.

Reddy, who serves as the ICIJ’s Africa coordinator, was arrested on Saturday, September 19,  alongside local journalist Mohamed Ismael. The ICIJ had earlier said Djiboutian authorities detained the journalists for allegedly failing to obtain media accreditation. Both Reddy and Ismael have now been released.

According to the ICIJ, Reddy was visiting Djibouti and was not reporting on the country when he was detained. The journalist, known for investigative reporting on governance, corruption and regional affairs, had travelled to Djibouti as part of work connected to a longer-term investigation.

His colleagues initially declared him missing after losing contact with him on Saturday. ICIJ Managing Editor Fergus Shiel said Reddy had been staying at the Escale International Hotel and was expected to spend three days in Djibouti.

“He met with a local fixer called Kooki Mahmoud. He wasn’t there to report on anything to do with Djibouti,” Shiel said. “He was there in the hope of learning about something that was a long-term investigation. I can’t go into that because it could put him at further risk.”

According to Shiel, Reddy was due to meet Mahmoud at about 1 p.m. on Saturday in the lobby of his hotel. Reddy later sent a message saying everything was fine and that Mahmoud was arriving, but his colleagues subsequently lost contact with him.

“It’s very, very unusual for somebody to disappear from the lobby of an international hotel,” Shiel said. The ICIJ later said it was “gravely concerned” about Reddy’s safety before authorities confirmed that he had been detained. Following his release, South African media reported that Reddy’s family confirmed he was unharmed and travelling home.

The Committee to Protect Journalists also welcomed his release while criticising the circumstances surrounding his detention. “We are greatly relieved. Four days in secretive intelligence custody is unacceptable treatment of an investigative journalist,” the CPJ said.