North Western State of Somalia Journalists Arrested in Hargeisa Home During Overnight Police Raid
In the quiet town of Hargeisa, North Western State of Somalia, where the sun sets with a soft blush over the horizon, the term “freedom of speech” seems more myth than right. Imagine the inside of a newsroom, stories scattered like autumn leaves, journalists tapping away tirelessly at their keyboards. In this bustling yet intimate chaos, one reporter, Shaafici Shaaciye, dared to brush Machiavelli the wrong way. His intention? To shed light on stories others scarcely whisper amid the bustling markets and winding streets of Hargeisa—and the consequences of his courage were swift and alarming.
Picture this: It’s the twilight of January 16, 2025. The air is crisp, carrying whispers of forthcoming danger. As our protagonist, Shaafici Shaaciye prepares to unwind from another day of diligent watchdog journalism, the stillness of the evening was brutally interrupted. Commanded by the police Commissioner Major General Mohamed Aden Saqadhi Dabagale—a name steeped in authority and, perhaps, a tincture of controversy—an entourage of heavily armed security forces descended upon Shaaciye’s residence.
Here’s the scene—a door swung open amidst shouts and clattering boots. The echoes of law clashed ominously with the humble walls of his home. Why such a dramatic performance befell him? The stage was set in mystery; no one knew for certain. But those familiar with the art of investigative ink suggest it might relate to Shaaciye’s role as the architect of an online platform, Shaaciye Media, where government misdoings found no safe haven.
As the dust of that fateful raid settled, Shaaciye found himself summoned to stand before the court in Hargeisa just two days later. With the gavel as his only ally, the law decided he was to be kept under lock and key for a full week. It begs the question: What makes one’s voice such a formidable enemy?
Behind the veil of legal jargon and arrest warrants, there lies a story—a troubling pattern of governance under Muse Bihi’s administration, where questioning the status quo is a hazardous endeavor. Shaaciye, undeterred by thinly veiled threats aimed in his direction, packaged up his truth and fled to Mogadishu, seeking sanctuary from those who were clearly discomforted by his narratives. His stories of alleged police excesses against innocents painted a stark picture of a nation grappling with dissent.
In a twist of fate, Gen. Dabagale, known for brandishing his power with a preference for suppression, threats, and sometimes random arrests of the opinionated—was relieved of his duties by the President of North Western State of Somalia, Abdirahman Irro. The official narrative? A comprehensive army reform. Yet, it’s hard not to wonder whether there was more than meets the eye.
In a broader view, this isn’t a unique event. North Western State of Somalia has been casting a long shadow over those who dare challenge its authority. Not too long before Shaaciye’s debacle, another personality with courage as her middle name, Naciima Abwaan Qorane, an advocate for the idea of Greater Somalia, found herself behind bars. Her crime? Dreaming out loud.
As we unravel these events, one cannot help but ponder: What does the future hold for truth in North Western State of Somalia? Will the curtain ever lift to herald a brighter dawn for freedom of expression? While the situation remains complex and saturated with danger, the indomitable spirit of individuals like Shaaciye continues to ignite a spark in the narrative of resistance. His story, yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of seeking truth in the shadows.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
