South African investigative journalist and International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) Africa coordinator Micah Reddy is believed to be in custody in Djibouti after losing contact with colleagues during an assignment in the country.
Reddy and his local journalist and fixer, Mohamed Willo Ismael, known as Kooki Mahmoud, became unreachable on Saturday, 19 September, prompting concern from their families, colleagues and international press freedom organisations.
The latest information from the ICIJ indicates that Reddy is believed to have been detained for failing to obtain media accreditation. Ismael is also understood to be in custody. The organisation said it had not yet established the full circumstances surrounding their detention.
The development follows more than a day of uncertainty over the pair’s whereabouts.
Reddy arrived in Djibouti on Thursday and was expected to remain in the country for only a few days. ICIJ managing editor Fergus Shiel previously said Reddy had arranged to meet Mahmoud at around 1pm local time on Saturday.
He subsequently sent colleagues a message indicating that everything was fine and that Mahmoud was on his way.
It was the last communication received from him.
Family and press freedom groups seek answers
Reddy’s disappearance initially prompted calls for Djiboutian authorities to establish whether he and Mahmoud had been detained and to confirm their safety.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed that it was aware of the case but did not initially provide details. Reddy is a dual South African and British national, meaning authorities in both countries were alerted.
The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Djibouti to clarify the pair’s whereabouts and ensure their safety.
The African Editors Forum also urged the Djiboutian authorities to provide transparent information and keep the journalists’ families, colleagues and employers informed.
ICIJ has stressed that Reddy was not in Djibouti to investigate the country’s government or domestic affairs. His trip formed part of a longer-term investigation, but the organisation has declined to provide further details because of concerns about his safety.
Reddy’s family had earlier said they were desperate for information and were relying on diplomatic channels to establish his whereabouts.
Reddy has extensive investigative journalism experience
Reddy is an experienced investigative journalist whose work has taken him across Africa and other parts of the world.
He joined South African investigative journalism organisation amaBhungane in 2017 and later became ICIJ’s Africa coordinator. Before joining amaBhungane, he served as national coordinator for media freedom and diversity at the Right2Know Campaign.
His international experience includes serving as managing editor of the Yemen Times in Sana’a and working as an editor in Egypt. He has also contributed to investigations and reporting projects in several countries.
Reddy has previously encountered difficulties while reporting abroad. ICIJ reported that he was detained in Equatorial Guinea in 2025 while working on an investigation. He was eventually released without being charged.
The current case remains unresolved, with ICIJ seeking further information about the circumstances of Reddy and Ismael’s detention.
The organisation said it remains gravely concerned about their safety and is working to establish what happened after their last contact with colleagues.
For now, neither the full legal basis for the reported detention nor the expected next steps in the case have been publicly confirmed.