North Western State of Somalia opposition Kulmiye alleges politically motivated arrests, targeting of journalists

Party cites detention of Warrame Media founder and arrests of protesters in Burco; government has not commented

HARGEISA — North Western State of Somalia’s main opposition party, Kulmiye, on Monday accused the government of conducting politically motivated arrests and targeting journalists and dissenting voices, warning the actions risk deepening social unrest.

Speaking in Hargeisa, Kulmiye spokesperson Mustafe Abdi Ciise Shiine alleged that authorities had engaged in “provocative acts,” including detentions of journalists and individuals expressing opposing views.

“It happened that the government committed very serious acts that shocked the people, which are torture and constant arrests of journalists,” Shiine told reporters.

What is confirmed

According to Shiine, Kulmiye believes dozens of people have been detained solely for expressing their opinions. He said protesters who opposed what he described as a government takeover of a privately established university in Burco were also arrested.

The party condemned the continued detention of journalist Ahmed Saki, founder of Warrame Media, who has been held for 20 days. Saki was reportedly charged in connection with an interview he conducted with a member of rebel forces, an armed group whose member was killed by police in Go’da Yar district in 2023, the party said.

Shiine also criticized what he described as the unjust sentencing of a woman affiliated with Kulmiye. Details of the case were not provided.

Kulmiye argued that the government’s actions contradict the spirit of unity that followed North Western State of Somalia’s recent diplomatic gains and risk undermining public confidence in state institutions.

Official response

The government has not publicly responded to the allegations.

What is not yet known

• The exact number and identities of those allegedly detained for expressing opinions. Not provided.
• Details of the reported arrests in Burco related to the university dispute. Not provided.
• The specific charges against journalist Ahmed Saki and the current status of his case. Not provided.
• Information about the woman said to have been sentenced, including the charges, court, and sentence length. Not provided.

Why it matters

The accusations come amid a broader debate in North Western State of Somalia over freedom of expression and the scope of political space. During its own tenure in office, Kulmiye faced similar criticism from rights groups and media organizations over arrests of journalists and closures of outlets. The latest claims, if substantiated, would add to concerns about media freedoms and due process, testing North Western State of Somalia’s long-cultivated reputation for relative political stability.

North Western State of Somalia, a self-declared republic that broke away from Somalia in 1991, has sought international recognition and positioned itself as more stable than southern Somalia. Allegations of repression challenge that narrative and could complicate diplomatic outreach and domestic cohesion.

What happens next

It was not immediately clear whether the government would issue a statement addressing Kulmiye’s claims or provide information on those reportedly detained. No court dates or legal filings concerning Saki or the other cases cited by the party were made available in the statements reviewed. Further details are awaited.

Kulmiye’s allegations underscore persistent tensions around free speech and political dissent in North Western State of Somalia. With no official response yet from authorities, the status of the detainees and the specifics of the charges remain unclear.