South African Journalist Freed from Djibouti Detention

South African journalist Micah Reddy, who was arrested by Djibouti authorities last weekend, has been freed.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) announced his release in a statement on Tuesday.

“Micah Reddy has been released from custody in Djibouti. He is safe and will soon reunite with his family in South Africa,” the statement said.

Mr Reddy, the ICIJ African coordinator, was taken into custody last Saturday along with a local journalist, Mohamed Ismael.

The ICIJ stated on Sunday that Djibouti authorities detained him for “failing to obtain media accreditation.” Both Mr Reddy and Mr Ismael are now free.

The ICIJ had pointed out that Mr Reddy was arrested for not having media accreditation, even though he was not on a reporting assignment.

He was visiting Djibouti and was not there to gather news. His employers reported him missing on Saturday after they lost contact with him.

Fergus Shiel, the ICIJ editor-in-chief, mentioned that Mr Reddy was supposed to meet a colleague at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the hotel lobby.

Mr Shiel told Daily Maverick that Mr Reddy was staying at the Escale International Hotel and planned to be in Djibouti for three days.

“He met with a local fixer named Kooki Mahmoud. He wasn’t there to report on anything about Djibouti.

“He was there to learn about a long-term investigation. I can't share more details as it could put him at further risk,” he said.

Mr Shiel explained that on Saturday afternoon, Mr Reddy texted to say everything was fine and that Kooki was on the way.

After this, they lost contact with him.

“It’s very, very unusual for someone to disappear from the lobby of an international hotel,” he added.

The ICIJ had expressed serious concern for the safety of its Africa coordinator.

Now, the ICIJ has confirmed that he is free.

Media in South Africa reported that his family confirmed he was unharmed and was on his way home.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed relief at the news, stating, “We are greatly relieved. Four days in secretive intelligence custody is unacceptable treatment of an investigative journalist.”