Somali Cable TV journalist Abdihafid Nur Barre was arrested Tuesday in Mogadishu’s Waaberi district, according to his media organization.

Somali Cable TV stated that military forces carried out the arrest, as the security agencies had not issued an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the detention. The arrest has drawn swift condemnation from members of the Somali Future Council and several

prominent political figures.

Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the journalist’s detention was not consistent with Somalia’s legal framework and called for his immediate release.

Presidential candidates Abdi Farah Shirdoon, Hassan Ali Khaire and Mohamed Hussein Rooble also jointly condemned the arrest, describing it as a crackdown on independent media and a violation of constitutional guarantees.

In a statement, they urged the government led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to release Abdihafid unconditionally and to ensure his safety and fundamental rights.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions over elections and constitutional reforms, as well as growing scrutiny from opposition leaders and media rights advocates over press freedom in the country.