The Geeska Freedom Centre (GFC) has accused Somalia’s Federal Government of intensifying its crackdown on freedom of expression, saying at least 13 people, including three journalists and 10 social media users, have been arbitrarily arrested or detained in Mogadishu over the past six weeks.
In a new report released on Tuesday, GFC said the arrests were carried out by the Somali Police Force and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
According to the organization, those detained appear to have been targeted solely for expressing opinions critical of the authorities or publishing content considered unfavorable to the Federal Government.
GFC said the arrests come amid heightened political tensions following the controversial extension of the mandates of the president whose mandate has ended Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Federal Parliament, whose constitutional terms expired in May 2026 and April 2026, respectively.
Opposition groups and civil society organizations have argued that the extensions have deepened political divisions and raised concerns over democratic governance.
Among the cases highlighted in the report is the arrest of 10 young social media influencers on June 28, after police accused them of promoting “indecent behavior” and content allegedly supporting homosexuality.
During a press conference at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Mogadishu, police spokesperson Abdifatah Aden Hassan said security agencies were pursuing additional suspects.
GFC said it had verified the identities of seven of those arrested, including one minor: Abdiqani Mohamed Dalmar (32), Abdulle Mohamed Abdi (30), Khusey Said Dahir (19), Ahmed Abdullahi Mumin (16), Abdiladiif Muuse Abdi (43), Abas Rufaaci Osman (19), and Farhan Ahmed Abuukar (19).
According to police sources cited by the organization, three of the original detainees have since been released without charge, while the remaining seven continue to be held. Family members told GFC the detainees are content creators on TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, where they primarily produced entertainment content.
The report also raises concerns over the detention of Mascuud Warsame, founder of the Mogadishu-based online news outlet Xogbile, who was allegedly taken by NISA officers on the night of June 30 shortly after leaving his office. GFC said NISA has neither acknowledged his detention nor disclosed the legal basis for his arrest.
According to the organization, Warsame remains in custody without charge and has not been brought before a court. Xogbile has frequently published reports critical of the recently installed South West State administration in Baidoa, which is backed by the Federal Government.
Another case highlighted is that of Mohamed Ali Mohamud, widely known as Qadaaye, a reporter for Iftiimiye TV, who was arrested on June 26 after reporting on a police officer who claimed senior officials had unlawfully suspended his salary.
GFC said Mohamud was detained for three days without charge before being released, while the police officer interviewed in the report was also reportedly arrested.
The organization further criticized the arrest of journalist Abdukadir Abukar Ali, known as Diirshe, who was detained on June 25 while covering proceedings at the Banadir Regional Court during the trial of women’s rights activist Sadia Moalin Ali.
Shortly before his arrest, Diirshe had published a video questioning the fairness of Sadia’s trial.
Banadir Regional Police Commander Mahdi Omar Mumin, known as Moalin Mahdi, later confirmed the arrest on Facebook, accusing the journalist of insulting the country’s judicial institutions.
According to GFC, Diirshe was held incommunicado for three days before being brought before a court and released on bail on June 28. However, the charges against him remain pending. The organization argued that such prosecutions are increasingly being used to intimidate journalists and discourage critical reporting.
GFC also expressed concern over the continued imprisonment of Sadia Moalin Ali, who was arrested on April 12, 2026, after participating in a peaceful protest in Mogadishu.
She was sentenced to three years in prison on June 25, a decision the organization says violates Somalia’s Provisional Constitution and its international human rights obligations protecting freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“The Geeska Freedom Centre calls on the Federal Government of Somalia to end the arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance and intimidation of journalists, media workers and social media users, and immediately and unconditionally release all individuals detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” said GFC Director Abdalle Ahmed Mumin.
The organization said it will continue monitoring the cases and urged Somalia’s international partners to publicly press the Federal Government to end what it described as an assault on civic space and to uphold the country’s constitutional and international human rights commitments.
The Federal Government, Somali Police Force, and NISA had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in GFC’s report at the time of publication.
The authorities have previously maintained that security operations and arrests are carried out in accordance with Somali law and are intended to protect public order and national security.