Renowned Somali journalist Abdalle Mumin wins the 2025 Allard Prize

The award was presented at a ceremony in New York City, marking another major milestone in Mumin’s long-standing fight for press freedom in one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists.

This recognition comes more than a decade after Mumin received international acclaim in 2013, when he was awarded the Human Rights Award for International Photography in Germany. Since then, his advocacy has expanded from photojournalism to founding and leading the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), a powerful voice for press freedom and independent media in Somalia.

“For over twenty years, I have put my life on the line for one belief: that journalism can expose corruption, demand accountability, and protect the rights of the voiceless,” Mumin told attendees at the Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan, New York via a video link. “In Somalia, that belief isn’t just tested — it’s life-threatening.”

The Allard Prize ceremony opened with a keynote speech by Sarah Chayes, an award-winning journalist and former advisor to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, who underscored the global importance of confronting corruption.

The biennial award, established in 2012 by the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, honours individuals and organisations who demonstrate exceptional courage and leadership in promoting transparency and accountability.

As Secretary General and Co-founder of the Somali Journalists Syndicate, Mumin has become a leading figure in the struggle for press freedom in Somalia. The country remains one of the deadliest environments for journalists, with 85 journalists killed since 1992 as per CPJ data, and many more harassed, arrested, or forced into exile.

Founded in 2019, SJS emerged in response to an escalating wave of media repression. Since its inception, the organisation has not only documented violations of press freedom but has publicly identified perpetrators—actions that have brought both praise and reprisal.

Between 2021 and 2022, Mumin was arrested twice and placed under a travel ban. But it was the events of October 2022 that marked a turning point. Somali security forces who had covered their faces raided the SJS headquarters, and the next day, Mumin was detained at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport in what he describes as a “kidnapping-style” arrest orchestrated by senior Somali officials.

“I spent 44 days in underground cells in different locations,” Mumin recounted. “The raid and my arrest were planned by Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adala—a former member of militant groups—and his cousin, Mahad Salad, head of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).”

The crackdown came shortly after SJS organised a joint media statement criticising new government restrictions on the press—restrictions spearheaded by Al-Adala himself.

Mumin was eventually released but continued to face systematic persecution. He left Somalia in mid-2023 and completed a fellowship at the University of York in the United Kingdom.

“Even in exile, you’re forced to choose between personal security and continuing your work,” he said. “But we persist—because without transparency, there can be no justice.”

Despite Mumin’s departure, Somali authorities have maintained pressure on SJS and its members. In August 2023, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, SJS’s Secretary for Information and Human Rights, was arrested after reporting on police corruption. Days later, the SJS website was disabled by a massive distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, reportedly involving nearly 20,000 IP addresses.

Investigations by Qurium, a nonprofit digital forensics organization, confirmed the scale of the cyberattack, which crippled the organization’s online operations for days.

In January 2024, Somali intelligence forces raided a hotel in Mogadishu where SJS was conducting a training session for female journalists. And in April, the organisation’s bank accounts were frozen, suspending its operations for a period.

Despite these relentless attacks, Mumin and SJS have shown remarkable resilience. In November 2024, the organization launched “Baraarug” (meaning Awakening), one of Somalia’s first civic rights digital campaigns. Targeting youth and women—two groups that make up the majority of Somalia’s population—the campaign reached over one million people within its first six months, both inside Somalia and in the diaspora.

Dr. James Stewart, Chair of the Allard Prize Board, praised Mumin and the SJS team for their courage and tenacity.

“As we honour these brave individuals, we must also recognize that corruption is a global crisis that transcends borders,” Stewart said. “The stories of our laureates are full of hope and resilience, and we can all learn from their examples.”

Mumin, awarded an Honourable Mention, said the prize is not just a personal milestone, but a symbol of encouragement for his entire team.

“This is a recognition of our collective work. It shows that journalism still has the power to challenge kleptocracy, injustice, and fear,” Mumin said. “It gives us the strength to go the extra mile—and to inspire others to stand for human rights.”

SJS President Mohamed Ibrahim echoed the sentiment, emphasising that the recognition serves as a powerful motivator for the team. “This recognition is a beacon of hope. Despite the arrests, threats, and exile, the global community sees and values our work. That gives us the courage to keep moving forward,” he said.

The award serves not only as validation for SJS’s work but as a powerful message to those who seek to silence truth-tellers. In a country plagued by corruption and impunity, Mumin and his colleagues remain steadfast in their mission.

“They may try to silence us,” Mumin said, “but the world is watching. And in the end, justice will prevail.”