Police in Somalia have detained four TikTokers for allegedly insulting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud through a dance video. The video features young men dancing to a remix of a campaign song from the president's 2022 electoral campaign, with the lyrics altered to include derogatory remarks.
According to the police statement, the arrested individuals are in custody and will face formal charges, although authorities have not provided further details following the arrests.
This incident marks a departure from previous arrests targeting social media influencers for clan-related insults and 'immoral' content, as it brings the focus onto criticism of a prominent political figure.
In August of the previous year, seven TikTok users were sentenced to six months in prison in Mogadishu for actions provoking civil unrest and promoting immorality. The latest arrests have sparked further discourse on the state of social media in Somalia, particularly TikTok, which has faced prior scrutiny.
While some members of the public support the TikTokers, viewing their actions as a form of protest, others defend the government's crackdown, stressing the need to respect national institutions in a nation grappling with weak governance structures.
TikTok enjoys widespread popularity in Somalia and among its diaspora, especially among younger populations using it for political expression and creative entertainment. However, the Somali government considered a potential ban on the platform in 2023, citing security concerns and the potential spread of harmful content, although public resistance thwarted these plans.
As discussions continue, authorities remind the public that disrespect towards national leaders will be met with severe legal consequences, raising questions about the balance between freedom of expression and government authority.
