Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) has raised grave concerns over an escalating campaign of arrests, intimidation, and censorship targeting journalists in Somaliland.
According to SJS, at least 10 journalists have been arrested within the past three weeks alone, amid what appears to be a broader crackdown on press freedom in the self-declared republic.
The arrests have spanned multiple regions and involved journalists affiliated with various independent media outlets. The targeted reporters were often covering politically sensitive topics or questioning local officials — actions that appear to have triggered retaliatory measures by authorities.
Journalists Arrested in Eerigabo for Covering School Closures
On Saturday, September 27, 2014, Somaliland police in Eerigabo, in the Sanaag region, detained four journalists who were reporting on the visit of Somaliland’s Minister of Education, Ismail Yusuf Duale, to local schools.
The journalists — Said Musa Farah (Said Qurbaawi) of Sabar TV, Ibrahim Abdi Adan (Murti), Mohamed Yusuf Ilkacase, and Said Abdirahman — had questioned the minister about the closure of three local schools.
Eyewitnesses and interviews conducted by SJS indicate that police officers beat and kicked approximately 40 journalists who attempted to ask Minister Duale about the closures.
All four journalists were held for about seven hours at the local police station before being released without charges.
A fifth journalist, Aidarus Jama Mohamed, managed to escape custody and later spoke to SJS, revealing he had sustained bruises on his back and legs after falling from a moving police vehicle during the arrest attempt.
Journalist Detained in Gabiley Over Facebook Posts
On September 27, 2013, police in Gabiley arrested journalist Mohamed Wadaad, following his reports and Facebook posts criticizing the Somaliland administration’s detention of local elders in Wajaale town. The elders had opposed government plans to occupy land in the area.
Wadaad, who has a large social media following (over 100,000 followers), remains in detention without a warrant — a violation of Somaliland’s constitutional protections against arbitrary arrest. SJS confirmed his arrest and continues to monitor the case.
KF Media TV Reporter Held Without Charge in Togdheer
Abdicasis Saleeban Sulub (also known as Abdicasis Awl), a reporter for KF Media TV, was arrested on September 12 in Burco, Togdheer region.
The following day, a regional court approved a police request to detain him for seven days pending investigation, though no formal charges were filed.
Local journalists allege the arrest was ordered by the regional governor in retaliation for Sulub’s critical reporting. Despite being acquitted and ordered released by the Togdheer Regional Court on September 27, Sulub remains in prison as the Attorney General has appealed the court’s decision — raising further concerns about judicial independence.
Three Journalists Arrested in Borama for Political Reporting
On September 11, Somaliland police in Borama, the capital of Awdal region, arrested three journalists:
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Ahmed Sheikh Muse Hassan (Buddhi) – Horn Cable TV
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Abdirisaaq Omar Meead (Awliyo) – CBA TV
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Ahmed Dayib – Photographer
SJS was informed that the arrest was ordered by the Governor of Awdal, reportedly angered by critical reporting during a visit by President Abdirahman Irro. The three were detained at the Borama police station and released without explanation.
Hargeisa Journalist Fined After Reporting on Police Involvement in Murders
In a high-profile case, Ahmed Mohamud Dool, a Hargeisa-based journalist, was released on September 3 after spending 30 days in custody. Dool was detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on August 5, following the publication of a controversial Facebook post allegedly written by a former prosecutor. The post implicated members of the police in two recent murder cases in Hargeisa.
Dool told SJS he was summoned for questioning but was immediately detained upon arrival. He was eventually fined 1.5 million Somaliland Shillings (approx. $150) by the Maaroodijex Regional Court, despite claiming the fine was unjust and imposed due to a lack of judicial fairness. Photos of Dool in handcuffs during court proceedings circulated widely, sparking public outrage over the treatment of independent journalists.
Mounting Pressure on the Independent Media in Somaliland
Since the election of President Abdirahman Irro in November 2024, journalists had hoped for greater press freedoms. However, SJS has recorded the arrest of 24 journalists and the closure of two media outlets in the past nine months, signaling a deterioration in media freedom across Somaliland.
In a statement issued this week, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary-General of SJS, condemned the ongoing crackdown:
“The repeated arrests of journalists in Somaliland in the last three weeks show a dangerous pattern of intimidation and censorship. We are deeply concerned that freedom of the press is in grave danger. These actions not only silence independent voices but also undermine the public’s right to information.”
Mumin called for the immediate release of detained journalists, particularly Abdicasis Saleeban Sulub, and urged Somaliland authorities to respect constitutional protections and ensure a safe environment for independent media.
The recent wave of journalist arrests in Somaliland has raised alarms among local and international media watchdogs. These incidents point to a disturbing trend of state-sanctioned suppression, where critical reporting is increasingly met with arrest, intimidation, and legal persecution.
SJS and other rights groups are calling on Somaliland’s government to uphold democratic norms, protect journalists, and guarantee the right to free expression.