Poet Jiheeye Detained After Speaking Out Over Somaliland Land Dispute

GOOBJOOG NEWS | HARGEISA: Somaliland authorities have been accused of detaining prominent Somali poet Jiheeye after he publicly raised concerns over what he described as pressure and intimidation linked to a dispute over his home and land.

Jiheeye, who is reportedly a neighbour of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, was taken into custody on Friday, according to reports circulating locally.

The circumstances surrounding his detention were not immediately clear, and there was no immediate statement from Somaliland authorities explaining the reason for his arrest.

Before his detention, the poet had spoken publicly about a dispute over his property, saying he had faced pressure to leave his home. He claimed that many other residents in the neighbourhood had sold their properties, while he and a small number of others had lost their land under circumstances he disputed.

Jiheeye subsequently composed and publicly recited a poem in which he appealed to God over the dispute and criticised President Irro over what he described as the pressure he had faced concerning his home and property.

His reported detention came less than 24 hours after he made the complaints public, raising concerns among some observers over freedom of expression and the treatment of public figures who criticise the Somaliland administration.

The allegations could not immediately be independently verified, and it was not clear whether the detention was directly linked to the poet’s comments or to another matter.

The incident comes amid broader criticism from rights advocates and opposition figures over alleged restrictions on dissent and freedom of expression in Somaliland. Journalists, religious figures, academics and other public figures have previously faced allegations of detention or pressure, although authorities have rejected accusations of systematic repression.

The case is likely to draw further attention to the balance between property disputes, public criticism and freedom of expression in Somaliland, particularly when allegations involve individuals connected to senior government officials.

No details were immediately available on whether Jiheeye had been formally charged, where he was being held or whether he had access to legal representation.