Somali Opposition Forum Accuses Presidency of Orchestrating "Illegal Detention" of Three Women Activists

MOGADISHU – The Somali Salvation Forum (Madasha Samatabixinta Soomaaliyeed), a prominent opposition coalition, has leveled grave accusations against the federal government, alleging the "illegal detention and intimidation" of three Somali women who were opposing a forced eviction campaign in the capital.

In a press statement issued on October 26, 2025, the Forum accused government authorities of holding three women—Samsam Omar Ali, Habiiba Abdi Ali, and Kaaho Hassan Jima'ale—in detention for ten days. The women are reportedly being held at the Warta Nabadda (formerly known as Wardhigley) district headquarters in Mogadishu. The opposition group claims the detention is a direct result of the women's refusal to endorse a land grab operation in the Suuqa Siinaay area, allegedly orchestrated by the government in collusion with armed groups.

The allegations come from the Somali Salvation Forum (M.S.S), a major opposition platform comprising political figures opposed to the current administration. They are directing their criticism not just at the government apparatus but specifically at the Office of the Presidency ("Madaxtooyada"), implying high-level involvement.

The initial conflict arose in the Suuqa Siinaay neighborhood of Mogadishu, where residents are facing eviction. The detainees are reportedly being held at the Warta Nabadda district security base.

According to the opposition, the women were targeted for their activism. They refused to give their blessing to a "barakicin" (endorsement) for a land seizure that would displace local residents. Their detention is framed as an attempt to silence dissent and intimidate communities resisting what the Forum describes as a state-backed land grab.

The Forum raised a further alarm by claiming that the government is planning to extend the women's detention by an additional 45 days. They have condemned this as an "abuse of power and a violation of the rights of Somali citizens." The group has called for the women's immediate and unconditional release, appealing to the Somali public, human rights organizations, and the international community to pressure the government.

This incident is not isolated but fits a pattern of escalating tensions between the federal government and its political opponents. The control and distribution of land in Mogadishu is a deeply contentious issue, often linked to political power and economic interest. Accusations of the security and judicial apparatus being used to target government critics have been a recurring theme in Somalia's political discourse, eroding public trust in state institutions.

The serious allegations made by the Somali Salvation Forum highlight the precarious state of civil liberties and the rule of law in the capital. By directly implicating the Presidency in what it calls the "illegal detention" of female activists, the opposition is significantly raising the political stakes. This case serves as a critical test for the Somali government's commitment to due process and constitutional rights. If the allegations are true, it signals a dangerous weaponization of state power against peaceful dissent. The government's response—or lack thereof—will be closely watched by both domestic audiences and international partners, and could have profound implications for the nation's fragile political stability and its path toward democratic consolidation.