Controversial Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma arrested in Ethiopia

Controversial Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma has allegedly been arrested and detained by the Military in Ethiopia.

Juma was allegedly arrested while covering protests that erupted in Ethiopia’s Oromia region following the death of musician Hachalu Hundessa.

Hundessa was perceived an activist for the Oromo ethnic group and the artist was shot dead while driving in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital on Monday, June 29 sparking unrest that has so far claimed the lives of 80 people Over 80 people have been killed in the unrest in Ethiopia.

Reports indicate that Yassin Juma was arrested because of his close relationship with the controversial musician, one of few people who have openly criticized Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.

Family and friends of Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma are concerned about this whereabouts. The scribe has been missing for sometime, with fears and suspicion that he's being held in an unknown location by Ethiopian Government security forces. pic.twitter.com/dlUC7RVyZ5

— Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) July 4, 2020

He is also reported to have close ties with yet another Oromo activist Jawar Mohammed, in whose media house Juma was working in Addis prior to his arrest Friday.

Juma is not new to arrests for his relationships with perceived rebel groups and militia outfits.

He was arrested in Kenya by the Anti-Terror Police Unit ATPU in January 2016 for following details and reports on his blog and social media, detailing the attack by Alshabaab on the Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia.

His arrest has sparked social media action by Kenyans and Ethiopians, who are calling for his release under the hashtag #FreeYassinJuma.

A friend of Oromoo people Kenyan Journalist Yassin Juma detained today.. He was arrested by Ethiopian military junta at Oromoo people leader Jawar Mohammed resident. pic.twitter.com/4lS6yCkJkz

— Abomsa Geleto (@abomsa_geleto) July 3, 2020

Ethiopian government has also arrested Yassin Juma,
A Kenyan journalist who has been covering Ethiopian, Oromia, news with a keen, honest, independent and neutral eye.
Why arbitrarily arrest journalists?
What are you hiding?#FreeYassinJuma pic.twitter.com/sKvyc0lOto

— Habiba Dida (@dhabiba) July 4, 2020