Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – KAAB TV reports that three respected elders from the Beesh Mallin Dhiblawe sub-clan of Wa’eysle were arrested and later released by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency.
According to sources close to the families, NISA forces raided the homes of Omar Ali Roble and Ali Haji Iman in Mogadishu’s Shibis district late in the evening.
The operation was reportedly carried out without prior warning or warrants, and all three elders were detained and held without formal charges.
The arrest sparked swift condemnation from opposition leaders and civil society activists, who viewed the detentions as part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed issued a strong rebuke, describing the arrests as “an act of abduction” that undermines public trust in the Federal Government.
“This is not only a violation of the dignity of these elders but also a direct threat to the stability, security, and unity of our society,” said Sharif. “Those who orchestrated this act have brought shame upon themselves.”
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre also condemned the arrests, echoing concerns about the growing suppression of free speech in Somalia.
The three elders were released later that same night, reportedly without charge.
While the official reason for both their arrest and release remains unclear, multiple sources suggest that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud personally intervened and ordered their release in response to mounting political pressure.
A particularly striking detail that has circulated widely on Somali media is the age and defiant stance of Ali Haji Iman.
At 90-yr-old, Ali Haji Iman spoke last week at the opposition forum in Mogadishu and stated “If President Hassan Sheikh wants to shoot me tonight, let him do it. I am 90 years old. I’m not afraid for myself—but the youth of this country are in danger.”
Ali Haji Iman, a forner businessman and clan elder, has been a vocal critic of the government’s handling of civilian displacements and land seizures in Mogadishu, often accusing President Hassan Sheikh of overseeing illegal evictions to facilitate questionable land deals.
Mogadishu, in recent months has witnessed a concerning rise in the detention and harassment of citizens, activists, and political opponents who speak out against the government.
A recurring issue involves the forced displacement of residents from public lands—many of which are rumored to be auctioned off or sold for private development under dubious legal circumstances.
Critics argue that this trend represents a dangerous erosion of civil liberties and due process in Somalia, warning that the silencing of dissenting voices only serves to deepen mistrust between the government and its citizens.
As of now, no government agency has issued an official statement regarding the arrests or the reason for the sudden release of the three elders.