Britain warns of rising journalist arrests in Somaliland

Related Articles

Zoobe bombing… nine years since a tragedy that shook Somalia

October 14, 2026

Mogadishu floods renew fears of expanding flood risks

October 13, 2026

Somalia isolates citizen as precaution after contact with Ebola patient

October 12, 2026

HARGEISA — Britain has expressed concern over repeated arrests of journalists in Somaliland, citing more than 50 arrest cases in less than two years and warning of the implications for press freedom and the territory’s democratic standing. The British position followed discussions with the Minister of Information and representatives of the media sector, during which London stressed the importance of due process and judicial oversight of detention procedures.

Britain emphasised that press freedom, independent journalism and freedom of expression are fundamental pillars of any democratic system. It called for journalists to be protected from measures that could restrict their work or undermine their ability to report information and carry out their professional duties.

The warning comes amid figures documented by press freedom organisations. Reporters Without Borders reported 21 cases of journalist arrests in Somaliland in 2025, seven of which lasted more than two days, while the Somali Journalists Syndicate documented the detention of 36 journalists in the territory during the same year. These figures come from two separate organisations and should not be combined into a single total without verifying differences in monitoring methods and the scope of cases covered.

Britain welcomed the introduction of a Media Bill before Somaliland’s Parliament during the week its position was announced, describing it as an opportunity to address longstanding challenges in regulating the media sector. It stressed the importance of ensuring that the proposed Media Council is impartial and has the necessary powers to resolve disputes independently, without undue influence that could undermine its autonomy.

The British position has once again drawn attention to the debate over media regulation and the limits of freedom of expression in Somaliland, amid growing calls for clear legal safeguards to protect journalists and ensure the independence of mechanisms for handling media complaints and disputes. The legislative process surrounding the bill presents an opportunity to address these issues within a legal framework that balances media regulation with the protection of press freedom.