The arbitrary detention of journalist Mohammed Abdi Sheikand social activist Abdimalik Sheik Muse Coldoon

The Human Rights Center condemns the arbitrary detention of the owner of MMTV Mohammed
Abdi Sheik and social activist Abdimalik Sheik Muse Coldoon.

Mohamed Abdi Sheik, Ilyas Abdinasir, and Mohamed Abdi Abdillahi (Andar) were arrested on
January 6, 2024, by Somaliland Intelligence forces. Ilyas Abdinasir and Mohamed Abdi Abdillahi
were released on January 9, 2024, without charge and arbitrarily detained. Mohammed Abdi Sheik
(Ilig) is held in Intelligence Agency’s facility in Hargeisa, according to the exit interview of the
two other journalists. He is arrested for a debate segment on Xspaces on the MoU agreement
between Somaliland and Ethiopia.

Abdimalik Sheik Muse Coldoon was arrested on January 8, 2024, in Burco on freedom of
expression violation related to the MoU agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia. He is
currently in custody of the Intelligence forces.
The arbitrary detention of journalist and social activist breaks multiple articles and laws of
Somaliland Constitution, Police Act, Prison Act, and National Intelligence Agency Act, and
infringing on the rights of citizens to express themselves without government interference or
regulation.

The Human Rights Center is concerned at the rate at which ordinary citizens are held by
Intelligence security forces without reason, charge, or trial appearance. We urge for their
immediate release without conditions and implore Somaliland government to uphold the laws
governing the country and to act upon the constitution that grants these rights to individuals to
express their opinion.

Yasmin Omar H. Mohamoud
Chairperson of the Human Rights Center

Hargeisa, Somaliland
hrcsomaliland@gmail.com
Twitter: @hrcsomaliland