MOGADISHU, Somalia – June 21, 2026 – The opposition Himilo Qaran Party has strongly criticized the arrest of Aweys Xasan Abiikar, describing the detention as a violation of constitutional freedoms and calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party alleged that Aweys Xasan Abiikar was detained after publicly expressing his views through poetry that criticized President Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud and raised concerns about the exercise of state authority.
According to Himilo Qaran, the arrest reflects an increasing trend of restricting freedom of expression and targeting young people who voice opinions on political and governance issues. The party urged security agencies to cease actions that it said undermine citizens’ constitutional rights.
“The Somali Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely express their opinions,” the statement said. “It is unacceptable for individuals to face detention for peacefully expressing their views through artistic or literary means.”
The party further called on security authorities to respect the rights of citizens and refrain from what it described as intimidation and harassment of youth and residents of the capital, Mogadishu.
Himilo Qaran also warned security officials against carrying out orders that it considers inconsistent with the law, stressing that accountability mechanisms exist for actions that violate constitutional and legal protections.
The arrest of Aweys Xasan Abiikar has drawn attention on social media and among political observers, with renewed discussions emerging over freedom of expression, civic rights, and the relationship between state institutions and political dissent in Somalia.
As of the time of publication, Somali authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations raised by the opposition party regarding the circumstances of the arrest.
The development comes amid ongoing political debate in Somalia over governance, democratic participation, and the protection of civil liberties, issues that remain central to the country’s political discourse.
Author
Ridwan Yusuf Mohamud
Editor in chief of somali Magazine
Ridwan@somalimagazine.so
Black News 
