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The Somali Police Force in Mogadishu’s Garasbaaley district has announced the arrest of four young men accused of insulting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a video shared on TikTok. The arrests come at a time when social media content in Somalia is increasingly under scrutiny, and authorities have warned citizens against creating or sharing content that they consider offensive to the country’s leaders and institutions.
The individuals taken into custody were identified as Omar Isse Salad, Mahad Omar Yirid, Amin Mohamed Hassan, and Abdisalan Eenaanshe Ibrahim. Police said the young men had produced and uploaded a TikTok video that directly targeted and mocked the Somali President, which they argued not only disrespected the head of state but also crossed legal boundaries outlined in the country’s constitution.
In a public statement, the Somali Police Force described the video as openly insulting to the President of the Republic, claiming that it “undermined the honor and dignity of the head of state” while also violating national laws. According to police officials, the four men are being held in custody and will soon face trial in court. Authorities have promised to follow due legal process but have also emphasized that such actions will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The police went further to caution the Somali public about the potential consequences of using social media irresponsibly. They urged people to avoid creating or spreading content that misrepresents or insults the country’s leaders, or that diminishes the dignity of national institutions. Officials stressed that those who disregard this warning and engage in online insults or defamatory content will face strict punishment under the law.
The arrests highlight a growing concern in Somalia over the use of digital platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and other social media outlets. While these platforms have become popular tools for expression, entertainment, and communication, they have also created new challenges for governments, particularly when content is perceived as politically sensitive or disrespectful to authority figures.
For many young Somalis, TikTok has become a creative outlet where they share comedy, dance, political opinions, and even satirical content. However, this freedom of expression has sometimes clashed with the boundaries set by Somali authorities, who continue to stress the importance of protecting the reputation and dignity of national leaders. The recent case involving the four arrested men serves as a reminder of the risks associated with pushing these boundaries.
Authorities also noted that the rapid spread of the videos on social media played a role in their decision to take action. The clips reportedly gained wide attention online in recent days, further fueling debate about what kind of speech should be allowed in the digital space and how much control governments should have over online expression.
Human rights activists and free speech advocates often argue that citizens should have the right to criticize their leaders, even harshly, as part of democratic freedoms. On the other hand, Somali officials maintain that criticism should not cross into insults or behavior that undermines the respect due to the President and other government institutions. The tension between these two perspectives is not new and continues to be a subject of debate in Somalia and beyond.
As the legal proceedings move forward, many Somalis will be watching closely to see how the courts handle the case. The outcome may set an important precedent for how far freedom of expression can go in the country, especially when it comes to the use of social media platforms that are increasingly shaping political discourse and public opinion.
For now, the four suspects remain in police custody, awaiting trial. The Somali Police have made it clear that they intend to pursue similar cases in the future if citizens continue to post content deemed offensive to national leaders. The message from authorities is straightforward: freedom of expression must be practiced responsibly, and those who use social media to insult or demean leaders will face the full force of the law.