South African Investigative Journalist Goes Missing During Reporting Trip in Djibouti

A South African investigative journalist has gone missing while on a reporting trip in Djibouti, prompting concern from his family and international press-freedom organisations.

Micah Reddy, the Africa editor for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), arrived in Djibouti on September 17 and remained in contact with his family and colleagues for several days.

According to his brother, Niall Reddy, communication with the journalist suddenly stopped on September 19. The family said they had not received clear information about his whereabouts from local authorities.

Reddy had travelled to the Horn of Africa country for professional reporting. He was accompanied by a local fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, who also became unreachable, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

The organisation said it was increasingly concerned after more than 24 hours passed without anyone being able to contact either Reddy or Mahmoud.

Reddy is an experienced investigative journalist whose work has focused on major stories across Africa. His disappearance has therefore raised concern among colleagues as efforts continue to establish what happened after his communications stopped.

His family has called for information about his whereabouts and said they were waiting for authorities to provide clearer details.

As of the latest reports, there was no confirmed explanation for Reddy’s disappearance, and it had not been established whether he was detained, injured or had encountered another problem during his reporting trip.

The investigation and efforts to locate the journalist remain ongoing.

Sources:
Reuters report on Micah Reddy’s disappearance
Committee to Protect Journalists, cited by Reuters.