MOGADISHU – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) vehemently condemns the decision by the Maroodi Jeex Regional Appeals Court in Hargeisa, Somaliland, to suspend the independent news websites Hadhwanaagnews.com, Hadhwanaagnews.ca, and Hadhwanaagtv.com, and to sentence journalists affiliated with Hadhwanaag News to six months in prison and a fine of 500,000 Somaliland Shillings in absentia.
On 9 August 2025, a new suspension order was issued by the Maroodi Jeex Appeals Court. Judge Abdikarin Omar Abdi ordered the “reinstatement of the suspension imposed on the websites hadhwanaagnews.co, hadhwanaagnews.ca, and hadhwanaagtv.com.” The decision, seen by SJS, also imposed a six-month prison sentence and a fine of 500,000 Somaliland Shillings (approx. $50) on each of the Hadhwanaag News journalists, who are currently outside the country.
The websites’ suspension first imposed in early September 2019, which had been lifted in February this year, has now been reinstated. The court also ordered “all local internet service providers to block” the websites.
Hadhwanaag News is an independent news outlet run by Canada-based Somaliland exiled journalists. For years, its reporters have faced relentless legal threats and persecution merely for exposing corruption allegations against former Central Bank Governor Ali Ibrahim Jama, widely known as Ali Baghdadi.
Ali Baghdadi, who returned from Canada, was appointed as Governor of the Central Bank in April 2018. In 2019, Hadhwanaag News published an article and photos showing the Governor constructing two modern buildings in Hargeisa, which sources alleged were “hotels and commercial spaces” registered “under concealed ownership and guarded by security forces”.
Following this exposé, Ali Baghdadi filed a lawsuit at the Maroodi Jeex Regional Court, which on 5 September 2019 ordered the suspension of the Hadhwanaag News website. Police in Hargeisa began targeting Hadhwanaag News journalists. On 10 September 2019, Editor Abdiqani Abdillahi Ahmed (Asbaro) and reporter Abdirisaq Goud Nur were arrested, followed by the arrest of reporter Abdirahman Sheikh Hassan on 19 September. They were freed on bail on 23 September after two weeks in detention, but later fled the country due to escalating threats, SJS reported at the time.
In April 2021, police arrested freelance journalist, Adan Abdi Idle, over similar reporting on the alleged “corruption of Ali Baghdadi.” He was released after two weeks in custody, as reported by SJS at the time.
Ali Baghdadi was eventually removed from office in a cabinet reshuffle in September 2021.
On 8 February 2025, the Maroodi Jeex Regional Court lifted the suspension on Hadhwanaag News websites. A court document signed by Judge Ilyas Da’ud Ibrahim stated that “the suspension order was lifted since the case has concluded and a decision has been issued.”
However, on 9 August 2025, the Appeals Court issued a new suspension order, reinstating the ban on the websites and reimposing prison sentences and fines on the journalists in absentia.
“This ruling by the Maroodi Jeex Appeals Court is a politically motivated attack on press freedom and independent journalism in Somaliland. By reinstating the suspension of Hadhwanaag News just five months after it was lifted, and sentencing its journalists in absentia, the authorities are sending a chilling message to all critical voices,” said SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Mumin “These actions not only violate Somaliland’s constitution but also undermine fundamental international human rights standards.”
“We urge on the Maroodi Jeex Regional Court to reverse this draconian decision and ensure the safety and freedom of all journalists. Somaliland authorities must ensure that journalists who investigate corruption and officials’ wrongdoings are not persecuted as such action will only diminish the role of the media as public interest watchdog,” Mr. Mumin adds.