Police in Somalia have arrested four TikTokers for allegedly insulting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a dance video.
In the post, several young men are seen dancing to a remix of a campaign song originally used during the president's election bid in 2022, but with the lyrics altered to include derogatory language.
The police confirmed that the suspects were in custody and would be formally charged, although no further comments have been issued since their arrest.
This incident marks the first case involving a top politician, as previous arrests of social media influencers have mainly revolved around spreading clan-based insults or 'immoral' content.
In August last year, seven TikTokers were sentenced to six months in prison in Mogadishu for provoking civil unrest and spreading immorality.
Authorities stated that the behavior in the recent video, which has since been deleted but continues to circulate widely, constitutes a criminal offence under Somali law.
Police spokesman Gen Abdifatah Aden warned that anyone engaging in similar acts disrespecting national institutions or leaders would face the full force of the law.
The arrests have reignited public debate over social media's role in Somalia. Some citizens support the young men, while others argue the necessary limits on freedom of expression must be enforced, especially amidst fragile governance.
TikTok holds significant popularity in Somalia and among its diaspora, primarily used by youth for political commentary, satire, business promotion, and entertainment.
Concerns over TikTok's role in spreading misinformation and undermining social values led the government to contemplate a ban earlier this year, although it faced strong public resistance.
As the landscape of social media evolves, the ongoing situation emphasizes the tension between creative expression and governance in a country still dealing with complex socio-political issues.
