The perpetrators remain unidentified, but the impact is clear: many high-profile users now feel unsafe and are reconsidering Facebook as their primary communication platform.
In a disturbing trend of digital harassment, over 32 Facebook accounts belonging to Somali journalists, influencers, and government officials have been systematically targeted in a wave of cyberattacks between late October and mid-November 2024.
The attacks primarily involved maliciously manipulating Meta’s platform systems to delete or “memorialize” accounts, often using forged death certificates. Journalist Mohamed Salh’s account, for instance, was labeled as a memorial on November 9, despite him being alive and actively reporting on other platforms.
Government entities were not spared. The Puntland Ministry of Information confirmed that Facebook accounts associated with state presidency and ministerial officials were taken offline. Similar incidents were reported in Mogadishu and Jubaland, including the deletion of the Jubaland state president’s account and Sahal Cable TV’s Facebook page.
This is not an isolated incident. In 2019, Facebook previously removed 16 accounts belonging to Somali journalists without clear explanation, raising ongoing concerns about platform accountability.
The coordinating organizations—including the Somali Journalists Syndicate, Somali Media Women Association, Media Association of Puntland, and Somali Media Association—are demanding a thorough investigation. They are calling on Meta to strengthen its safeguards, prevent system misuse, and restore trust in the platform.
With social media serving as a critical communication channel in Somalia, especially for diaspora connections, these attacks pose significant threats to freedom of expression and online safety.
The perpetrators remain unidentified, but the impact is clear: many high-profile users now feel unsafe and are reconsidering Facebook as their primary communication platform.
