Somali TikTokers Arrested for Insulting President in Dance Video
Four Somali TikTok creators were arrested after posting a dance video with derogatory lyrics targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, sparking debate over free speech online.
Somali police detained four TikTok creators after they posted a dance video deemed insulting to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The clip featured young men dancing to a remixed campaign song from the president’s 2022 election with altered lyrics containing derogatory terms.
The authorities said the suspects are in custody awaiting formal charges and have not commented since their arrest. While Somali influencers have previously faced charges for clan insults or “immoral” content, this marks the first case targeting a senior political figure.
In August 2023, seven TikTok users were sentenced to six months in prison for inciting unrest and spreading immoral content. Officials stated the recent video—deleted by its creators but still circulating online—violates Somali law. Police spokesman General Abdifatah Aden warned that anyone who disrespects national institutions or leaders will “face the full force of the law.”
Growing concerns
The arrests have reignited debate over TikTok’s role in Somalia, where the platform is widely used for political commentary, satire, business and entertainment. Some Somalis have defended the young men’s right to expression, while others argue that freedom of speech should have limits in a nation with fragile governance.
The government considered banning TikTok in 2023 over national security worries, misinformation and threats to social values, but dropped the plan after widespread opposition. Officials continue to warn that the app can spread extremist propaganda and defamatory material.
These arrests illustrate the tension between free speech and legal boundaries in Somalia’s evolving digital landscape.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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