Introduction
On 20th April 2024, Somaliland's electoral commission announced plans to hold elections by 13th November 2024. The presidential race features the Kulmiye, UCID and Waddani parties.
Expression
On 20th April 2024, Somaliland police arrested Ugbaad Mohamud Abdi, known as Ugbaad Aragsan, a singer known for her politically expressive music, without formal charges. They accused her on social media of ‘‘spreading immorality.’’ Prior to her arrest, the Somaliland police cancelled Ugbaad's planned music show in Hargeisa, sparking protests on social media among her supporters. On 26th April 2024, Somaliland authorities released Ugbaad Mohamud Abdi after nearly a week in detention.
On 22nd April 2024, Somaliland’s intelligence agency (NIA) called for criminal charges against five lawyers through the office of the attorney of the Somaliland armed forces. Prior to this, the lawyers, Mubarik Mohamud Abdi, Mohamed Hussein Arale, Mohamud Abdirahman Nur, Mukhtar Dahir Jibril, and Hussein Shabeel Abdillahi, had submitted a legal recommendation, endorsed by the Somaliland Lawyers Association. This recommendation asserted that the NIA and military court lack the authority to detain and investigate civilians, including journalists, referencing the recent raid and detention of MM Somali TV journalists in Hargeisa.