Silencing the Press: The Arrest of Hassan Galaydh and Democratic Backsliding
The city of Gabiley became the focal point of a growing democratic crisis on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, when Somaliland security forces detained prominent journalist Hassan Saleeban Haruun, widely known as Hassan Galaydh. As the founder and editor-in-chief of the independent news network Gallaydh.com and Gallaydh TV, his sudden arrest has cast a harsh spotlight on the rapidly deteriorating state of press freedom in Somaliland.
Arrested while on a working trip to attend a graduation ceremony at Timacadde University, Galaydhās detention has triggered immediate outrage. Press freedom advocates, human rights defenders, and opposition politicians are condemning the move, framing it as the latest escalation in a systematic government crackdown on independent media.
Vague Charges and the "False News" Pretext
The Somaliland Police Command quickly issued a statement attempting to justify the arrest, claiming the journalist was detained for spreading "false news." According to the official police dispatch, Galaydh was questioned regarding information he had recently broadcasted but allegedly failed to provide supporting evidence.
"The Somaliland Police Force has apprehended the suspect, Hassan Saleeban Haruun (Gallaydh), who is accused of spreading false news," the police command stated. The authorities noted that he would be brought before the relevant legal institutions for prosecution.
However, the police conspicuously failed to specify which report, broadcast, or statement constituted this alleged false news. This glaring omission has only fueled widespread suspicions that the charges are a legally dubious pretext designed to silence a vocal critic of the state.
The Real Catalyst: Defending Freedom of the Press and Holding the Powerful Accountable
While authorities point to unverified reporting, the timing of the arrest suggests a clear retaliatory motive. Galaydh was taken into custody just one day after leading a press conference in the capital city of Hargeisa. Standing alongside other prominent journalists, he fiercely demanded the unconditional release of Abdiqani Hussein Abokor (Baylood), another reporter recently detained by the state.
During that press conference, Galaydh did not mince words. He criticized the government for arresting Baylood without formal charges, accusing officials of retroactively fabricating a case against him. In a particularly resonant moment, Galaydh directly challenged President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro), highlighting a stark political hypocrisy.
"When President Cirro was in the opposition, there was not a single imprisoned journalist he did not visit," Galaydh reminded the public.
Contrasting the Presidentās past defense of free speech with his administration's current heavy-handed tactics.
Furthermore, government insiders indicate that the administration has grown increasingly intolerant of Gallaydh TVās editorial line. The network has boldly focused on the pressing socio-economic grievances of the Somaliland public, producing hard-hitting reports on crushing inflation, failing public utilities, healthcare deficiencies, and overall government inefficiency.
This is not the first time Galaydh has paid the price for his journalism. During the previous administration of President Muse Bihi Abdi, he was jailed for his factual reporting on a major riot at the Hargeisa Central Prison. His track record demonstrates a fierce, non-partisan commitment to the truth, regardless of who occupies the Presidential Palace.
The Deterioration of Press Freedom Under the Cirro Administration
The arrest of Hassan Galaydh is not an isolated incident. It is symptomatic of a broader, aggressive campaign against press freedom that has accelerated at an alarming rate. Since President Cirro assumed office in 2025, the Somaliland government has recorded the highest number of media arrests in the nation's recent history, with approximately 47 journalists detained over the past year.
This staggering figure has ignited a fierce domestic debate about the creeping authoritarianism of the current government. While in opposition, the ruling Waddani party campaigned heavily on a platform of human rights, frequently condemning the previous Bihi administration for intimidating the press. Today, the Waddani government's actions stand in direct violation of the democratic promises that swept them into power.
Although Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, it has yet to secure broad international recognition. For decades, Hargeisa has leveraged its reputation as a beacon of peace and functioning democracy in a volatile region to court Western allies. However, this escalating crackdown on independent voices threatens to severely damage the democratic credentials Somaliland relies upon to legitimize its quest for statehood.
Public Outcry and Widespread Condemnation
The detention of Hassan Galaydh has unified a diverse coalition of political figures, civil society leaders, and media organizations in condemnation. Below are the reactions from prominent voices across the nation, demanding an immediate halt to the government's intimidation tactics:
Member of Parliament Mohamed Abiib Yusuf: As a highly vocal and prominent lawmaker representing the Awdal region in the Somaliland House of Representatives, MP Mohamed Abiib dismissed the police's justification, calling the arrest an unreasonable and shameful abuse of state power.
Guleed Dafac: A leading human rights lawyer and constitutional activist, in several posts Guleed Dafac took to social media to express his deep concern over the arbitrary nature of the arrest and the government's blatant disregard for the rule of law.
Dr. Abdiweli Abdilahi Soufi: The former Minister of Information and Communication Technology criticized the administration's hostility toward the media, highlighting the dangers of suppressing factual reporting and public dissent.
The Kaah Political Party: The Kaah political party issued a strong condemnation of the targeted harassment of journalists, reminding the government that freedom of expression is a non-negotiable pillar of Somaliland's democratic process.
The Kulmiye Party: The former ruling party labeled the arrest as fundamentally anti-democratic and a violation of Somaliland's press laws, demanding Galaydhās immediate and unconditional release.
Mohamed Ali Daarood: A prominent politician and the former General Manager of the Hargeisa Water Agency, Daarood joined the chorus of voices demanding an end to the administration's authoritarian overreach and the silencing of critical media.
Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA): Representing the nation's media professionals, SOLJA released a definitive statement condemning the egregious arrest of Hassan Galaydh. The association demanded that the government restore his freedom immediately and cease its coordinated campaign of intimidation against the press.
