The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Africa confirmed on Tuesday that South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy, who had been reported missing in Djibouti, is free and has been deported from the country. Reddy, who serves as Africa editor for the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), flew into the Horn of Africa nation last Thursday and maintained regular contact with his family and colleagues before communication went silent on Saturday.
Deportation Confirmed and Return to Johannesburg
His brother, Niall Reddy, first spoke about the situation publicly on Sunday, raising the alarm with Reuters. CPJ Africa announced the development on X, citing Niall Reddy as its source. "Authorities claim he did not have proper media accreditation. He will return to Johannesburg soon. His fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, is apparently released without charge," the watchdog group wrote.
Djibouti Government's Position on Accreditation
Djibouti's Interior Minister Omar Abdi, in a statement shared by CPJ Africa, alleged that Reddy had deliberately bypassed the process of obtaining the necessary accreditation while in the country. A senior official in the Djibouti presidency, Naguib Ali Taher, had also said on Saturday that Reddy had not registered for media accreditation.
Family's Response and Relief
Reddy's family pushed back on any suggestion that he was in the country for journalistic work. In a statement, the family said he was not in Djibouti to report on the country or its government at the time he was detained. "It is with immense relief and delight that we share the news that he is on his way back to South Africa, unharmed," the family said.
