{
  "id": 8685942,
  "title": "INQUIRIES LAUNCHED: Top SA investigative journalist goes missing in Djibouti",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/inquiries-launched-top-sa-investigative-journalist-goes-missing-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T12:54:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-20-top-sa-investigative-journalist-goes-missing-in-djibouti/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy and his local \"fixer\" Kooki Mahmoud have gone missing while on assignment in Djibouti, causing alarm to their colleagues and families. The South African and British governments, as well as US authorities and the Djibouti government, have tried to contact Djiboutian authorities to find out if the two men have been arrested or have something else befallen them.\n\nReddy, Africa coordinator at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), was in Djibouti for no more than three days and intended to learn about a long-term investigation. He met with Mahmoud and was staying at the Escale International Hotel, but Reddy was not there to report on Djibouti affairs. Shiel, Reddy's editor, said Reddy texted to say that everything was fine, but after that, his phone showed he was receiving messages, but the connection dropped.\n\nThe US and UK governments launched a missing person's report with Djiboutian authorities. Shiel believes Reddy is in custody and urges Djiboutian authorities to reveal his whereabouts. Reddy is known for his investigative work on governance, corruption, and regional affairs. The Committee to Protect Journalists and AmaBhungane, the South African investigative news agency, have expressed concern for Reddy and Mahmoud's safety and called for their immediate safe return.",
  "summary": "South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy and his local fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, have gone missing while on assignment in Djibouti, causing concern among their colleagues and families. The journalist and his fixer were not there to report on Djibouti affairs, but rather to gather information for a long-term investigation. The South African and British governments have attempted to contact Djiboutian authorities to learn more about the situation, as have US authorities. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) editor, Fergus Shiel, stated that Reddy was staying at a hotel in Djibouti and had planned to be there for only three days. Shiel expressed alarm over the disappearance, calling it \"very, very unusual,\" and urged the Djibouti authorities to reveal Reddy's whereabouts.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "SA journalist Micah Reddy reportedly missing in Djibouti",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/sa-journalist-micah-reddy-reportedly-missing-in-djibouti",
        "published": "2026-09-20T13:52:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "South African journalist missing in Djibouti, family says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/south-african-journalist-missing-in-djibouti-family-says",
        "published": "2026-09-20T18:58:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}