South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy has been released from custody in Djibouti and is heading home after four days in detention.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) confirmed on Tuesday that Reddy had been released and flown out of Djibouti. eNCA also reported that DIRCO’s Clayson Monyela confirmed his release.
Reddy is ICIJ’s Africa coordinator. His local assistant, Mohamed Willo Ismael, also known as Kooki Mahmoud, is also understood to be free.
Contact lost on Saturday
ICIJ said it lost contact with Reddy and Ismael in Djibouti City at about 1pm local time on Saturday, 19 September.
Reddy had arrived in the country two days earlier. ICIJ said he was not reporting on Djiboutian affairs when contact with him was lost.
The organisation initially said it did not know what had happened to the pair and called on Djiboutian authorities to clarify their whereabouts and confirm their safety.
On Monday, ICIJ said it had been informed through diplomatic and other channels that Reddy was believed to be in custody for failing to obtain media accreditation. It said Ismael was also understood to be detained.
Reddy leaves Djibouti after release
ICIJ confirmed on Tuesday that Reddy had been held after being detained on Saturday and had since left the country.
The organisation said Djiboutian authorities had not publicly confirmed his whereabouts or provided access to him until the day of his release. It added that the South African, British and US governments assisted efforts to obtain information.
Daily Maverick reported that Reddy’s family said he was returning to South Africa unharmed and that Ismael had also been released without charge.
Reddy’s family thanked governments, diplomatic missions, journalists, civil society organisations and his legal representatives for helping secure his return.
ICIJ said the full circumstances surrounding Reddy’s detention remain unclear, but confirmed that both men are safe and free.