Hargeisa (KAAB TV) – Journalist Ahmed Mahmoud Dool, a prominent media figure based in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, was released today following a month-long detention at the Hargeisa Criminal Investigation Center. His release comes after he appeared in court earlier this morning and was ordered to pay a fine of 1,000,500 Somaliland Shillings.
The case has sparked widespread debate and concern about the state of press freedom in Somaliland, as media professionals and civil society groups question the legitimacy of his arrest and the increasing pressure faced by journalists in the region.
Speaking shortly after regaining his freedom, Ahmed Mahmoud described his arrest as politically motivated. “The purpose behind my detention was purely political,” he stated. “To this day, I do not understand the exact reason for my arrest. It appears the government had its own interests, using someone else’s involvement as justification for holding me unlawfully at the Criminal Investigation Center for 30 days.”
He extended his gratitude to fellow journalists, media organizations, and advocates who voiced strong opposition to what many have called an arbitrary and unlawful detention. “I deeply thank the media community for standing with me and speaking out against not only my arrest but the broader crackdown on press freedom in Somaliland,” he added.
Journalists across Hargeisa welcomed Ahmed Mahmoud’s release and used the occasion to reiterate calls for greater protections for media workers. Several of them urged the leadership in Somaliland to respect and uphold freedom of expression, which they say is increasingly under threat.
“The continued arrests and intimidation of journalists undermine democracy and the public’s right to information,” said one local journalist who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons. “We call on the Somaliland government to end this pattern of harassment against the press.”
This latest incident is part of a troubling trend in Somaliland, where media practitioners frequently report facing legal threats, arrests, and pressure while carrying out their duties. Human rights organizations and press freedom watchdogs have repeatedly urged the government to cease using state institutions to silence dissenting voices and instead foster an environment where independent journalism can thrive.
As the region grapples with questions of governance, transparency, and democratic accountability, the treatment of journalists like Ahmed Mahmoud Dool remains a litmus test for Somaliland’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law.