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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged authorities in Somaliland to immediately release journalist Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud, who has been in detention without formal charges since February 22. His arrest has raised concerns among press freedom advocates, who say the case highlights growing pressure on journalists in the region.
Ahmed-Zaki is the founder of Warrame Media, an online news platform based in Hargeisa. According to reports from CPJ, unidentified individuals stormed the outlet’s offices on the evening of his arrest. The incident was confirmed by the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA), Ahmed-Zaki’s lawyer Abdifitah Saleban Abukar, and his brother Abdirizak Ibrahim.
CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator, Muthoki Mumo, said Ahmed-Zaki’s case is part of a worrying trend of journalists being detained under questionable circumstances in Somaliland. She noted that nearly two weeks after his arrest, authorities had still not presented any formal charges in court. CPJ has called on officials to release him immediately if there is no legal basis for holding him.
Ahmed-Zaki’s family said they first learned about his arrest through social media on February 23. At the time, they had no information about where he was being held. The following day, they discovered he was being detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Hargeisa. However, it was unclear where he had been kept before being transferred there.
Attempts by his lawyer and family members to visit him were initially denied by authorities. This lack of access raised further concerns about transparency in the case and about his treatment while in custody.
On February 24, Ahmed-Zaki appeared before the Marodi-Jeh Regional Court. The court ordered that he remain in custody for seven days while investigations continued. According to SOLJA and his lawyer, the ruling was meant to give prosecutors time to prepare possible charges.
Ahmed-Zaki’s family was finally allowed a brief visit on February 26. During the meeting, he told them that he believed his arrest was politically motivated. According to his account, the detention came shortly after he published interviews with a former rebel commander and a member of parliament. Both individuals had criticized the administration of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
Supporters of Ahmed-Zaki argue that his arrest appears to be linked to his journalistic work. Press freedom groups say detaining reporters without clear charges can have a chilling effect on independent media and discourage journalists from reporting on sensitive political issues.
On March 4, the court extended Ahmed-Zaki’s detention by an additional three days while prosecutors prepared to file charges. Around the same time, he was transferred to Mandhera Prison, a high-security facility located about 95 kilometers northeast of Hargeisa. His brother confirmed the transfer to CPJ.
The case has drawn attention from international media rights organizations that monitor press freedom around the world. They argue that journalists should be able to carry out their work without fear of arrest or intimidation, especially when reporting on political matters or public figures.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 after the collapse of the Somali central government. Despite operating as a self-governing region with its own institutions, it has struggled to gain international recognition. In December 2025, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland’s independence, marking a significant political milestone for the region.
CPJ said it reached out to Somaliland authorities for comment on Ahmed-Zaki’s arrest, including the presidency, the Ministry of Information, and the police commission. However, none of these offices responded to requests for clarification.
Press freedom advocates say the continued detention of Ahmed-Zaki without clear charges raises serious concerns about the treatment of journalists in Somaliland. They are urging authorities to either present formal charges in court or release him without delay, emphasizing that transparency and respect for media freedom are essential for maintaining public trust.