Abdalle Ahmed Mumin standing next to his lawyers in court in Mogadishu, Somalia in 2023/HANDOUTAbdalle Ahmed Mumin, a Somali journalist and human rights defender, has been awarded the 2025 Allard Prize for International Integrity.
The award is one of the world’s most prestigious honours recognising extraordinary courage in the fight against corruption and the defense of human rights.
Presented at a ceremony held at the Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan, New York, the award marks a powerful affirmation of Mumin’s decades-long struggle to protect press freedom in Somalia—one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist.
Mumin addressed the audience via video link, saying, “For over twenty years, I have put my life on the line for one belief: that journalism can expose corruption, demand accountability, and protect the rights of the voiceless. In Somalia, that belief isn’t just tested — it’s life-threatening.”
The ceremony opened with a keynote address by Sarah Chayes, a renowned journalist and former advisor to the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, who emphasised the global urgency of confronting corruption and defending journalistic integrity.
The biennial Allard Prize, established in 2012 by the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia, celebrates individuals and organizations who demonstrate exceptional leadership and bravery in advancing transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
Mumin’s journey to international recognition began in 2013, when he received the Human Rights Award for International Photography in Germany.
Since then, he has evolved from a photojournalist into a pivotal advocate for free expression, founding the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) in 2019.
Under his leadership, the SJS has become a vital watchdog and defender of media workers, documenting violations, calling out perpetrators, and pressing for reform.
His advocacy has not come without personal cost. Between 2021 and 2022, Mumin was arrested twice and subjected to a travel ban.
The most harrowing moment came in October 2022, when Somali security forces raided the SJS headquarters. The following day, Mumin was detained in Mogadishu, an incident that drew international condemnation.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 85 Somali journalists have been killed since 1992, with countless more subjected to threats, harassment, and exile. Amid such peril, Mumin has emerged as a beacon of resistance and resilience.
Speaking on behalf of the Allard Prize Committee, Chairperson Dr. Marla Weston praised Mumin’s “unwavering moral courage in the face of violent repression” and called him “a symbol of hope for all who believe in the power of the press to hold power to account.”
As the 2025 laureate, Mumin joins a distinguished group of global changemakers who have turned personal risk into public justice.
