‘He hasn’t been heard from’: Family fears for missing SA journalist Micah Reddy

Johannesburg – South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy and his local fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, have gone missing in Djibouti, prompting concern from their families, colleagues and international press freedom organisations.

According to reports, Reddy was last seen around midday on Saturday after travelling to Djibouti on assignment. He had arrived in the country on Thursday and was staying at the Escale International Hotel.

The SABC reported that Reddy had been in contact with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) from his hotel at about 1pm on Friday. ICIJ Managing Editor Fergus Shiel said Reddy was due to leave Djibouti by Monday at the latest, but disappeared shortly after meeting Mahmoud.

8am Eastern Time Update on Micah Reddy & Kooki Mahmoud missing in :

“The Committee to Protect Journalists is increasingly alarmed that South African journalist Micah Reddy and his fixer, Kooki Mahmoud, have been unreachable in Djibouti for more than 24 hours. Their families… https://t.co/FxfpcXGIWG

— CPJ Africa (@CPJAfrica) September 20, 2026

Shiel told Daily Maverick that Reddy was not in Djibouti to report on the country itself, but was there in connection with a longer-term investigation. He said Reddy had texted that “everything was fine” before communication was lost.

The disappearance has triggered calls for urgent answers.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was “deeply concerned” about the disappearance and called on Djiboutian authorities to establish the pair’s whereabouts and ensure their safety.

“Authorities must immediately clarify their whereabouts, confirm their wellbeing and ensure their safety,” CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal said.

Family seeks answers

Reddy’s family has also appealed for his safe return. His brother, Nial Reddy, told EWNthat the family was extremely concerned after losing contact with him.

“He hasn’t been heard from in over 24 hours now. He was in Djibouti on a news story unrelated to that country,” he said.<

MISSING JOURNO | Micah Reddy’s brother, Niall, says the family is extremely worried and desperate for information as Reddy and his local fixer remain missing in Djibouti. He says authorities are working through diplomatic channels. pic.twitter.com/EuZLpS8zw7

— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 20, 2026

/p>

The family said it was relying on the South African government to help locate Reddy. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has confirmed that it is aware of the case but has not provided further details.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has also called for an investigation into the disappearance. The organisation said Reddy and Mahmoud had been in Djibouti since 17 September and had not been heard from since midday on 19 September, with their phones reportedly switched off.

Reddy is the Africa coordinator for ICIJ and previously worked for amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, where he was involved in investigations into governance, corruption and financial affairs. He also previously worked for the Yemen Times and has reported from several countries.

The circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain unclear, and authorities have yet to publicly confirm whether Reddy and Mahmoud are being detained or what may have happened to them.

Picture: X / @CPJAfrica

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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