It’s almost comical to hear members of the Kulmiye party—now in opposition—accuse the current ruling party, Waddani, of suppressing free speech. During their time in power, Kulmiye had a well-documented record of targeting journalists and undermining press freedom.

On April 13, 2022, 14 journalists were arrested in a single day while covering public protests calling for timely presidential elections—marking the largest mass arrest of journalists in Somaliland’s history.

Prominent figures such as Busharo Ali Baande (arrested in Wajaleh, May 2023) and Mohamed Abdi Sheikh Ilig, chairman of MMTV (arrested in January 2024), were detained simply for fulfilling their journalistic duties—or in Busharo’s case, merely being present in the country. Ilig, a civilian with no military ties, was even threatened with prosecution in a military court—a clear breach of legal and constitutional norms.

Beyond these high-profile cases, dozens of lesser-known journalists were beaten, detained without cause, and denied due process under Kulmiye’s rule. For its former officials to now present themselves as defenders of free speech is not only disingenuous—it is the height of hypocrisy.

Abdi Kabadeh

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