On February 22, 2026, unidentified individuals arrested Ahmed-Zaki Ibrahim Mohamud, founder of the online outlet Warrame Media, during a raid on its offices in Hargeisa, capital of the breakaway region of Somaliland, according to the local press rights group Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA), as well as the journalist’s lawyer, Abdifatah Suleiman Abokor, and younger brother, Abdirizak Ibrahim, both of whom spoke to CPJ.
Ahmed-Zaki’s family told CPJ that they learned of his arrest on February 23 through social media but were unable to locate him. On February 24, they found that he was being held in Hargeisa’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters but it was not immediately clear where he was detained before that, Ahmed-Zaki’s lawyer said.
When Ahmed-Zaki’s lawyer and family attempted to visit him, authorities denied them access.
On February 24, Ahmed-Zaki was taken to Marodi-Jeh Regional Court, which remanded him in custody for seven days pending investigation, according to SOLJA and his lawyer. His family were briefly allowed to see him on February 26.
Ahmed-Zaki told his family and lawyer that he believed his arrest was politically motivated and followed the publication of his interviews with a former rebel commander and a member of parliament, who were both critical of President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi’s administration
On March 4, the court remanded Ahmed-Zaki for an additional three days, as prosecutors prepared to file charges. Ahmed-Zaki was transferred to the high-security Mandhera Prison, about 95 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Hargeisa, his brother told CPJ. Abdirizak told CPJ that Ahmed-Zaki has ulcers but the family was not allowed to supply him with the necessary medication.
On March 17, the prosecution withdrew its case and the Regional Court in Hargeisa ordered Ahmed-Zaki’s release, according to a court order, reviewed by CPJ. He was freed that day, his family told CPJ.
In 2022, Ahmed-Zaki was arrested while reporting on an opposition protest.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally, except for by Israel in December 2025.
Authorities have cracked down on press freedom over the last year, with numerous arrests of journalists and media workers.
CPJ did not receive any responses to its March 2026 requests for comment to the presidency and Ministry of Information via email and to the police commission via messaging app.