UPDATE: Amade Abubakar was released on April 23, 2019.
According to local media reports, Abubakar was arrested by the police while photographing and interviewing people fleeing violent attacks by local militants. Police arrested him when he was collecting testimonies from victims.
International rights groups such as Amnesty International have said that they have “credible reports" that Amade has been mistreated and denied medical attention.
IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: “The detention of Amade Abubakar and the denial of his right to have a lawyer and receive medical attention is a violation of his fundamental rights. Our colleague has committed no crime while covering the deadly attacks in Cabo Delgado and giving voice to the victims. Mozambican authorities must understand the role of journalists and allow them to work freely”.
The IFJ believes that the arbitrary detention of journalists is a flagrant violation of the Mozambican Constitution and the national press law, which clearly protects freedom of the press.