Mogadishu Turmoil: The Controversial Detention of Abdirahman Suleiman Jama

MOGADISHU, Somalia (KAAB TV) — The political landscape in Somalia took another twisted turn when the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) made the contentious move of transferring opposition leader Abdirahman Suleiman Jama to a police detention cell. To many, this unfolded like scenes from an overplayed thriller: dramatic and incredibly alarming. What really happened on that fateful Friday?

Picture this: Abdirahman, passionate and formidable, leads the political group Shacabka, known simply as The People. On April 4, right in central Mogadishu, he stepped out of a dynamic political dialogue held at a bustling downtown hotel. But fate—or perhaps forces beyond his control—had different plans. Allegedly, it wasn’t long before armed NISA officers intercepted his vehicle. They pulled him out with such urgency, making some wonder, “How did we descend to this point?”

“They suddenly blocked the car, took a photo of Abdirahman, sent it to their superiors, and after receiving confirmation, ordered everyone else out before driving off with him,” recalled Abdikarin Deyr Abdi, a fellow politician, vividly painting the tense moment that lingered in the air.

Abdirahman’s relationship with Somalia’s federal leadership is anything but cordial. His persistent criticisms of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre have marked him as a thorn in the side of the establishment. During recent media appearances, his attention turned to the instability in Lasanod, situated in the contentious Khaatumo region, a region he calls home. Perhaps these words struck a nerve?

Initially whisked away to the infamously covert Godka Jilaow facility—a NISA stronghold synonymous with detaining government critics—Abdirahman found himself transferred to the Hamar Weyne police station. For many, this shift seemed to signal mounting internal and international pressure demanding transparency.

“He has been held without a warrant, without access to legal counsel, and without any charges,” explained Mohamed Dirir, a steadfast friend and political ally. Imagine that helplessness—a person defined by lawlessness being denied the law’s protection.

Even his family, grappling with uncertainties, revealed concerns over his prolonged detention and the continued rebuff of his legal rights. Yet silence echoed from the halls of Mogadishu’s authorities. Attempts to elicit comments from police spokesperson Abdifatah Hassan or Prime Minister’s representative Farhan Jimale were met with steadfast refusal.

Meanwhile, the country’s conscience churned. Opposition leaders and civil rights groups expressed outrage. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s Himilo Qaran Party issued a scathing critique. “This political kidnapping is a blatant violation of Somalia’s constitution and a disgrace to the Federal Government,” they asserted. Over at the Wadajir Party, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame echoed these sentiments by emphasizing the breach of fundamental rights.

No charges have been formally presented against Abdirahman Suleiman Jama yet, but the calls for his immediate release resonate louder with each passing day. The debate rages: Is this an attempt to silence dissent through fear, using intelligence agencies as tools of intimidation? Is this politically motivated drama what Somalia needs, or does it imperil the nation’s burgeoning democracy?

In a society that desperately seeks peace and stability, these are the moments that will define its future. In the words of Voltaire, “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.” Perhaps times call for us to ponder this wisdom as the story of Abdirahman Suleiman Jama unfurls further.