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HARGEISA—Somaliland government have detained Rashid Nur Absiye, commonly known as Rashid Garuf, without announcing formal charges. Multiple sources confirm that Garuf, who holds U.S. citizenship, remains in custody.
Garuf served as Somaliland’s Ambassador to the United States during President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo’s administration. His time in office was characterized by confrontational social media engagement, including frequent clashes with opposition figures and vigorous responses to Somalia’s political claims. Despite his active online presence, the mission struggled with limited community engagement and failed to advance Somaliland’s interests in the United States, with the office characterized as largely shuttered. In August 2018, President Muse Bihi Abdi replaced him with Bashir Goth as part of a limited reorganization of Somaliland’s foreign missions.
The arrest continues a pattern of detentions that has drawn international criticism. Under the previous government, security forces frequently detained opposition figures and critics without due process, often dropping charges without explanation and rarely taking cases to trial. The practice became particularly pronounced during election periods and times of political tension, when social media activists and opposition supporters faced increased scrutiny. International observers documented dozens of such cases between 2020 and 2023, noting that the pattern of arrest-and-release without judicial process created a chilling effect on political discourse.
The arrest highlights a striking dichotomy within the new administration’s approach to political discourse. While President Cirro has consistently called for restraint and measured debate, his Minister of Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, has adopted an increasingly combative stance on social media, often engaging in aggressive exchanges with critics. This disconnect between the president’s calls for moderation and his senior minister’s confrontational style raises fundamental questions about the administration’s true commitment to political dialogue.
The detention of Garuf comes just weeks into the new government’s tenure and follows his social media commentary questioning the administration’s response to a senior police official’s death in Hargeisa. Garuf’s posts, which called for public demonstration of disapproval during the president’s planned visit to Gabiley, touched on rather sensitive subject involving the death of a police officer and ongoing investigation. While government officials have historically cited national security concerns or public incitement to justify such detentions, critics argue that using state power against political expression undermines Somaliland’s democratic institutions and reform promises.
Despite multiple inquiries, the Somaliland Chronicle has been unable to obtain official comment from the Ministry of Interior or Police command regarding specific charges against Garuf. The case has reopened debate about the balance between security interests and freedom of speech—a persistent challenge that continues to test Somaliland’s democratic aspirations across successive administrations
In a notable turn of events, the Kulmiye opposition party, whose previous administration oversaw the highest number of such detentions, has condemned Garuf’s arrest. Garuf, a member of Kulmiye’s Executive Committee, now finds his party advocating against the same practices they once employed—highlighting the fluid nature of political principles when parties transition from power to opposition.
The handling of Garuf’s case has broader implications for Somaliland’s political landscape. As the new administration navigates its early months in power, its response to criticism and dissent will likely set the tone for state-society relations in the years ahead. The tension between maintaining security and protecting civil liberties remains a critical challenge for Somaliland’s democracy, particularly as the region continues to seek international recognition and support. Whether this case represents an isolated incident or signals a continuation of previous practices may prove pivotal for the government’s credibility both domestically and abroad.