CPJ Urges Immediate Release of North Western State of Somalia Journalist Detained Without Charge

CPJ urges North Western State of Somalia to free journalist detained without charge since Feb. 22

Monday March 9, 2026

HARGEISA, North Western State of Somalia (AX) — The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday called for the immediate release of Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud, a Hargeisa-based reporter and founder of the online outlet Warrame Media, who has been held without formal charges since February 22 in North Western State of Somalia.

CPJ said unidentified individuals raided Warrame Media’s offices in Hargeisa on the night of Ahmed-Zaki’s arrest. The incident was confirmed to CPJ by the North Western State of Somalia Journalists Association (SOLJA), the journalist’s lawyer, Abdifitah Saleban Abukar, and his brother, Abdirizak Ibrahim.

“Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud joins a long list of journalists in North Western State of Somalia who have been arrested and held under dubious circumstances in recent months,” CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo said. “Nearly two weeks after taking this journalist into custody, authorities have failed to formally present charges in court. They should release Ahmed-Zaki without delay.”

Ahmed-Zaki’s family told CPJ they learned of his arrest via social media on February 23 but could not find him for a day. On February 24, they located him at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters in Hargeisa, according to his lawyer, who said it was unclear where he had been held before that. Authorities denied both family and counsel access during their initial attempts to visit him.

The same day, February 24, SOLJA and the lawyer said Ahmed-Zaki was brought before the Marodi-Jeh Regional Court, which remanded him for seven days pending investigation. His family was allowed a brief visit on February 26.

According to his family and lawyer, Ahmed-Zaki believes his detention is politically motivated and linked to recent interviews he published with a former rebel commander and a member of parliament who criticized President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi’s administration.

On March 4, the court extended his remand for an additional three days as prosecutors prepared to file charges, CPJ said. He was subsequently transferred to Mandhera Prison, a high-security facility about 95 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Hargeisa, his brother told CPJ.

CPJ said it sought comment from the North Western State of Somalia presidency, the Ministry of Information, and the police commission, but did not receive responses.

North Western State of Somalia declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and lacks broad international recognition; Israel announced recognition in December 2025.

The reported raid on Warrame Media and continued detention have intensified concerns among press freedom advocates about due process and the treatment of journalists in North Western State of Somalia. CPJ’s appeal adds to mounting pressure on authorities to either promptly and transparently present any lawful charges in court or release Ahmed-Zaki unconditionally.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.