JOHANNESBURG — South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy has gone missing in Djibouti, his family said on Sunday.
Reddy travelled to the Horn of Africa country for a reporting assignment. His family has received no clear information about his whereabouts since their last contact with him on Saturday.
Reddy is the Africa editor of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). He arrived in Djibouti on Thursday.
His brother, Niall Reddy, said Micah remained in regular contact with family and colleagues until communication suddenly stopped.
“We have not received any clear information about his situation,” Niall said.
Contact With Journalist Stops
Niall said his last contact with Micah came at about 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Reddy’s colleagues last heard from him at around 1 p.m. that day. Several hours later, messages sent through Signal and WhatsApp stopped reaching him.
The sudden loss of contact raised concern among his family and colleagues.
Reddy had been staying at the Escale International Hotel in Djibouti City, according to his family.
Relatives said he was last known to have met his local fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, in the hotel lobby.
Mahmoud has also become unreachable, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
CPJ Urges Djibouti to Provide Information
The CPJ said it was increasingly concerned after more than 24 hours passed without contact with Reddy or Mahmoud.
CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal urged Djiboutian authorities to establish their whereabouts.
She also called for confirmation of their safety. If authorities have detained them, she urged their prompt release.
Quintal said the journalists’ reporting was not focused on Djibouti.
Family Says No Threats Were Reported
Niall said Micah had not reported any threats before travelling to Djibouti.
He also said his brother was not investigating the Djiboutian government during the trip.
South African and British officials have sought information from the Djiboutian government, Niall said.
However, the family has not received a clear explanation about Reddy’s whereabouts.
Djiboutian authorities have also not issued an official statement on the case.
Djibouti Official Checks Travel Records
Naguib Ali Taher, a senior official in the Djibouti presidency, said Reddy had not registered for media accreditation in the country.
“We need to check the tourist visa records to see if he came to Djibouti,” he said.
The circumstances surrounding Reddy’s disappearance remain unclear.
The family and journalist organisations continue to seek information about his whereabouts and safety.
