By Maher Ahmed - Reporter
Hargeisa (Dawan Africa) Somaliland police said they are monitoring social media users posting content they described as harmful to public security and stability.
Somaliland Police Spokesman Abdiasis Sheikh Ismail made the remarks in a statement published on the Facebook page of Somaliland Television.
“There are people spreading things on social media that are not good for security, and we are specifically monitoring them,” said Somaliland Police Spokesman.
Somaliland has previously arrested several well-known social media figures and journalists who use Facebook, although security authorities have not officially clarified the reasons for some of those arrests.
In February 2026, Araweelo News reported that Somaliland police arrested Ubah Abdirahman, known as “Goosha,” in Hargeisa. She was one of the well-known figures on Facebook, but the report noted that the reason for her arrest was not clearly disclosed.
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Similarly, the Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, previously said Somaliland arrested Facebook-based journalist Ahmed Mohamud Dool in August 2025, adding that he was detained on unspecified allegations.
The latest remarks by Somaliland police may raise debate over the balance between protecting public security and safeguarding freedom of expression on social media.
Security agencies argue that content capable of causing public disorder should be controlled, while media rights and free speech advocates often warn that such measures should not be used to suppress public opinion or criticism of the authorities.
So far, Somaliland police have not released new names or the number of people specifically being monitored in connection with social media posts.