Held in custody since May 15 in Hargeisa, Busharo’s case has taken a chilling turn as lawmaker Khalif revealed to have met Mohamed Muse Bihi, the elder son of president Bihi, at the Ambassador Hotel at approximately June 25.

According to Khalif, the president’s son admitted to being responsible for targeting Busharo and asserted that only he had the authority to secure her release.

“I followed her movements until she came from Jigjiga. I was the one who arrested her. I asked her if Mohamed Kaahin [Minister of the Interior] would release her. He hit the table and said, ‘By God, he dare not release her’,” revealed MP Ahmed Khalif during his interaction with local media.

This revelation brings to light the role of Mohamed Muse Bihi, who not only wields significant power as the president’s son but also operates in the shadows as the clandestine head of Somaliland’s intelligence service.

Allegations have previously surfaced regarding his involvement in targeting politicians and human rights advocates critical of the state.

Busharo Ali Mohamed, a 29-year-old British-Somali freelance journalist, was apprehended on May 15 as she entered Somaliland from Ethiopia in Wajaale town. Her purpose was to cover local stories in her hometown of Bur’o.

According to her lawyers and press freedom groups, her detention has been marked by alleged torture, leading to injuries on her leg and face.

In a heartfelt plea to President Bihi, Busharo’s family implored for her immediate release. “I appeal to the president. There is no single crime my daughter has committed. She is held just for her freedom of expression, and we know it is a politically motivated case. I ask you Mr. President to free my daughter today,” beseeched Hinda Mohamed Awale, Busharo’s mother.

Busharo’s lawyers have voiced grave concerns about her deteriorating health during continued persecution and detention.

Their assertion is further supported by the fact that she has been taken to court 12 times, yet not formally charged on nine of those occasions. This suggests a prolonged strategy by the persecutor’s office to prolong her police custody.

Initially charged with offenses such as the “Disclosure of Information the Divulgation of Which Has Been Prohibited” and “Publication or Circulation of False, Exaggerated or Tendencious News Capable of Disturbing Public Order,” Busharo’s charges were subsequently amended, as reported by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

On July 18, three new charges were added, including “committing anti-state crimes as a citizen abroad,” “spreading propaganda and fake news to tarnish the reputation of Somaliland,” and “criticizing the deputy president of Somaliland.”

These developments, according to SJS, highlight a deeply political and targeted effort against Busharo, driven by her critical reporting on her Facebook toward President Muse Bihi and his autocratic administration.

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Busharo, known for her coverage of Somaliland’s democratic issues and her critical commentary on social media platforms, including describing the Somaliland leader as “autocratic,” remains in custody.

The arrest is believed to be directly related to her professional work. She has been a vocal reporter on Somaliland politics, often highlighting the country’s challenges.

According to reports, Busharo was apprehended at the border between Ethiopia and Somaliland. During her arrest, she was subjected to physical violence, including kicks and slaps, resulting in injuries to her face and leg.

A recent hearing on July 9, 2023, involved legal arguments regarding the charges, some of which involve other journalists. The judge has reserved judgment for a later date, leaving Busharo’s fate uncertain.

Speaking on the matter, Michael Polak expressed his support for Busharo, highlighting her courage in reporting critical news from Somaliland. He emphasized the importance of a free press in fostering development and criticized the Somaliland authorities for their treatment of Busharo, including her arrest, mistreatment, and prolonged detention.

“We call on the authorities to end their persecution of Busharo for her work as a journalist, to drop all charges, and to launch an investigation into the physical abuse she suffered upon her arrest,” stated Polak, underscoring the need for accountability and justice.

As the case unfolds, concerns continue to mount over the protection of journalists and freedom of the press in Somaliland. International attention remains focused on securing the release of Busharo and addressing the wider challenges faced by journalists striving to report on critical issues in the region.

On social media, use the hashtag #FreeBusharo

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Busharo, a British-Somali journalist, was arrested on May 15, 2023, upon her return to Somaliland via the Ethiopian border.

Today, shortly after the hearing started, her legal team sought clarification regarding the charges presented by the Somaliland Prosecutor’s Office on June 20, 2023.

The charges against Busharo include “Disclosure of Information the Divulgation of Which Has Been Prohibited,” “Anti-National Activity of a Citizen Abroad,” and “Publication or Circulation of False, Exaggerated, or Tendencious News.” However, her lawyers argue that these charges lack clarity, as the prosecutor failed to present evidence supporting the allegations.

The SJS has highlighted that the prosecution has not provided a clear distinction between the charges against Busharo and those brought against other absent individuals.

Consequently, the court adjourned the case without setting a specific date for the next hearing.

Representative from the British Office in Hargeisa were present during the Sunday’s court hearing.

On Friday, SJS and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFK Human Rights) condemned the arbitrary arrest and detention of Busharo and called for her immediate and unconditional release by Somaliland authorities.

“Her ongoing detention is the latest in a series of unlawful and appalling actions against journalists by the Somaliland government,” they said.

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Busharo is recognized for her critical coverage of Somaliland government authorities. She lives in the U.K., and was traveling to Hargeisa for a journalistic assignment when she was arrested. Ahead of her arrest, Busharo was among the nine journalists the Somaliland government prevented from accessing social media to cover the ongoing armed conflict in the disputed territory of Lasanod.

Busharo was arrested May 15, at the Somaliland-Ethiopia border, and allegedly tortured before being transported to Hargesia Central Prison where she remains in custody. Despite sustaining face and leg injuries during the arrest, she reportedly has been denied medical care while in custody. She is being held incommunicado with limited access to her lawyers who have confirmed that she is being held under cruel conditions.

During her first court appearance on May 17, Somaliland authorities claimed Busharo disseminated propaganda and jeopardized national security. She was held without charges until June 20, when the Somaliland Office of the Attorney General leveled groundless accusations against her, including the publication or dissemination of false information, anti-national activity, and the disclosure of classified information. Busharo has appeared in court seven times, each appearance resulting in the further extension of her arbitrary detention.

“We are deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of our colleague, Busharo Ali Mohamed, in Hargeisa. Her detention and the persistent legal harassment constitute a blatant violation of human rights and send a chilling message to the media community in Somaliland and we condemn it. We call for Somaliland authorities to drop the baseless charges and release her immediately and unconditionally so that she can reunite with her family,” said Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of SJS.

“RFK Human Rights condemns Busharo’s judicial persecution in the strongest possible terms. Busharo’s unlawful detention is a reminder of Somaliland’s appalling record of violence against journalists and human rights defenders,” said Ikechukwu Uzoma, Africa Staff Attorney at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “Somaliland authorities must act quickly to free her and cease the disturbing pattern of silencing critical voices.”

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On Tuesday 20 June 2023, Busharo (popularly known as Busharo Baanday) was presented at the Hargeisa Marodi Jeh Regional Court where the Office of the Attorney General brought three charges against her: Article 205 (Disclosure of Information the Divulgation of Which Has Been Prohibited); Article 212 (Anti-National Activity of a citizen Abroad) and Article 328 (Publication or Circulation of False, Exaggerated or Tendencious News Capable of Disturbing Public Order). All are derived from the outdated Somali penal code.

Busharo Ali Mohamed, a British-Somali citizen and a mother of one child, was detained without a warrant at the Wajale town border crossing on 15 May 2023. She was subsequently transferred to Hargeisa on 17 May 2023, where she remains in custody.

SJS is concerned about her safety and well-being, as she is being held incommunicado at Hargeisa Central Police Station with limited access to her family and legal representation. Despite requests for medical attention, she has been denied adequate healthcare, and her lawyers have confirmed that she is being held under harsh conditions. Scheduled to appear in court on 27 June 2023, Busharo’s upcoming hearing will mark the sixth time she has faced the court since her detention.

SJS expresses dismay over her continued incarceration and urged the Somaliland Office of the Attorney General to drop the baseless charges, allowing Busharo to be reunited with her family.

“We are deeply troubled by the ongoing detention of Busharo Ali Mohamed in Hargeisa. We call upon the Somaliland Office of the Attorney General to drop these weird charges and release Busharo immediately and unconditionally, enabling her to be reunited with her family,” said Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary-General of SJS. “We also remind the Somaliland authorities, particularly the President, Interior Minister, and Police Commander, of their responsibility to cease targeting journalists for their critical reporting. Journalism is not a crime, and no journalist should face harassment or detention for carrying out their professional duties.”

In a positive development, SJS celebrates the release of journalist Khalid Yusuf Hassan from Eryal TV. Khalid had been detained by Somaliland police in Hargeisa on 13 June 2023 but was released without charges on Tuesday 20 June without charge.

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MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the arbitrary detention of female journalist, Busharo Ali Mohamed, who is held at Hargeisa police station since Monday 15 May 2023 as we call for her immediate and unconditional freedom.

On Monday 15 May, 2023, Somaliland police arrested Busharo Ali Mohamed (popularly known as Busharo Baanday) at the Wajaale town, while crossing from Ethiopian side of the border to Somaliland. Security forces at the border reportedly torturedthe journalist upon arrest and transferred her to a police custody in Hargeisa.

On Wednesday 17 May, 2023 Hargeisa based court remanded the female journalist to seven more days in the police custody, according to colleagues who visited her at the police station.

According to media reports and colleagues, Busharo, who also holds a British passport, has been critically covering Somaliland’s declining democracy, calling current Somaliland leader “an autocratic”.

SJS condemns in the strongest terms possible and calls for the Somaliland authorities to immediately and unconditionally free Busharo Ali Mohamed. Somaliland authorities should stop arbitrary detention and legal harassment aimed to censor journalists and instill fear among media practitioners.

Separately, SJS strongly condemns the new threats and intimidation by the office of the Somali Attorney General against SYL TV journalist Hussein Abdulle Mohamed who was summoned ‘for questioning’ by the Attorney General’s office following his reporton alleged corruption and abuse of power by the by the Attorney General Sulayman Mohamed Mohamud. According to a letter signed by Deputy Attorney General, Mohamed Osman Mohamud on 16 May 2023 which SJS has reviewed, the journalist is expected to appear before the Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday 20 May.

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