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.

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In a series of posts on X, Gen. Muhoozi, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, wrote: “In Uganda, I DO NOT believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution.” He further stated that NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor “will not re-open without my permission,” escalating concerns over press freedom in the East African nation.

Shortly after the statements, security personnel were deployed to the premises of Nation Media Group Uganda, preventing staff from entering or leaving the compound. NTV Uganda, Spark TV, and several affiliated radio stations were taken off the air, while operations at the Daily Monitor were also disrupted.

The closures have drawn widespread criticism from journalists, media organizations, and human rights advocates, who described the move as one of the most serious attacks on independent journalism in Uganda in recent years.

The developments come at a politically sensitive time following President Museveni’s latest inauguration and amid growing speculation that Gen. Muhoozi is positioning himself as his father’s eventual successor.

Political analysts say the military chief has become increasingly influential in Uganda’s political landscape through a series of controversial public statements and actions that have fueled debate about the future of governance in the country.

Opposition figures, press freedom organizations, and civil society groups have condemned the shutdowns, warning that restricting independent media undermines democratic accountability and the public’s right to access information.

Uganda has long faced criticism from international watchdogs over the treatment of journalists, opposition politicians, and civil society activists, with concerns that civic space has continued to shrink in recent years.

The latest crackdown has intensified fears of a broader deterioration in civil liberties as Uganda moves further into a politically charged period. Observers warn that continued restrictions on the media could deepen domestic tensions and attract increased scrutiny from regional and international partners concerned about democratic governance and freedom of expression.

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According to a statement released by the police, the journalist was detained over content he allegedly published on social media criticizing Somalia’s judicial institutions. Authorities said the posts contained remarks that they believe went beyond the boundaries of lawful expression and undermined the reputation and integrity of the country’s justice system.

Police further accused Diirshe Ali of disseminating what they described as false information, engaging in misleading propaganda, and publishing material deemed harmful to public security, stability, and social order.

The statement maintained that such actions are contrary to the laws governing public communication and responsible media practice.

The Somali Police Force emphasized that freedom of expression and media independence are rights protected under Somali law. However, authorities stressed that these freedoms must be exercised within the framework of national legislation, professional ethics, and the broader responsibility to preserve public security and social cohesion.

The statement also warned media practitioners, social media users, and members of the public against spreading misinformation, fabricated reports, or content considered harmful to national security and public order. Police said anyone found violating the law through the misuse of media platforms would be subject to legal action.

The arrest has drawn attention among journalists and media rights advocates, many of whom have closely followed recent debates surrounding freedom of the press, judicial accountability, and the limits of public criticism of state institutions.

Observers note that the case is likely to fuel further discussion about the balance between protecting freedom of expression and enforcing laws related to public order and defamation.

Authorities said Abdullahi Abukar Ali is expected to be brought before the relevant judicial bodies in accordance with Somalia’s legal procedures, where the allegations against him will be examined through the country’s court system.

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This comes after the unlawful arrest of several Somali journalists and youth workers.

Farmajo said that the detention of young people and media workers is intended to suppress what he described as a growing public uprising against injustice, corruption, and displacement.

“The repeated arrests and suppression carried out by the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud against the youth and prominent figures in Mogadishu, in an attempt to control public anger over nepotism, corruption, and forced displacement, is damaging statehood and further fueling public frustration and unrest.”

The former president also issued a strong message to security institutions, particularly the Somali Police Force, urging them not to be used for personal or political interests, especially in relation to the alleged displacement and suppression of journalists and young people.

“The Somali security forces were established to protect the public, defend the dignity of citizens, ensure security, and safeguard the rights of the Somali people. Therefore, I emphasize that security agencies must avoid any actions that create fear, displacement, and distrust among the public, and they must be careful not to be used for personal interests or abuse of power,” He said.

“We have repeatedly warned against actions that undermine statehood, damage the reputation of the nation, and erode public trust—actions rooted in land grabbing, oppression, and abuse of authority. Today, we are witnessing the consequences, including armed confrontations and angry citizens taking to the streets to defend their dignity and lives,” added Farmajo.

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The detained journalists are: Abdishakur Mohamed Mohamuud, a journalist with Somali Stream, Mohamed Ibrahim Bulbul, Secretary for Information and Human Rights at the Somali Journalists Syndicate – SJS  and Abdihafid Nur Barre, a staff member of Somali Cable TV.

The three journalists were arrested while they were in central Mogadishu, where they had gathered socially.

Sources familiar with the matter said that authorities have not yet officially disclosed the reason for their arrest or the location where they are being held, raising serious concern.

So far, no statement has been issued by the security agencies regarding the arrests.

The detention of these journalists is being linked to the ongoing political tensions in the country, particularly in Mogadishu.

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Sharif Shuriye Hashi, 35, who worked as a journalist for Universal TV in Somalia, was arrested from his home in Jowhar on December 8th.

He was taken into custody by forces from the Hirshabelle State Police. According to journalists in Jowhar, the arrest was led by Hassan Jabshe, the deputy commander of the Jowhar Police Station.

Sharif’s recently married wife, Hamdi Muse Digow, also 35, was arrested on the same day. Both of them remain in police custody.

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