The Congress of African Journalists has welcomed the release of South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy and his colleague, Kooki Mahmoud, after they were detained in Djibouti for four days.

Reddy, Africa Editor of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, and Mahmoud, a fixer, were detained on September 20 while in Djibouti.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 23, CAJ said the two journalists had been released and safely returned, while commending organisations and individuals who participated in advocacy efforts that led to their freedom.

The organisation specifically acknowledged the Committee to Protect Journalists and its Regional Director for Africa, Angela Quintal, for recognising CAJ’s contribution to the joint advocacy campaign.

CAJ said its intervention was consistent with its mandate to defend journalists whose safety and professional freedom are threatened anywhere on the African continent.

“When one journalist is detained in secret, it concerns all journalists on the continent,” the organisation said.

The continental journalists’ body, however, expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the detention, saying four days of incommunicado detention over alleged accreditation issues was unacceptable and raised questions about press freedom and due process in Djibouti.

It called on the Djibouti authorities to establish transparent accreditation procedures and ensure that the rights of journalists and other media workers are respected.

CAJ also expressed solidarity with Reddy and Mahmoud, their families, and organisations that joined the advocacy efforts, including CPJ, TAEF and SANEF.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to the Intercontinental Connection of Journalists and other partners in responding rapidly to threats against journalists and media workers.

The statement was signed by CAJ International President, Michael Adeboboye, and Secretary-General, Dr Ashraf Aboul-Yazi.

CAJ said the journalists’ release underscored the importance of collective action and solidarity in protecting press freedom and the safety of journalists across Africa.