Hargeisa – Somaliland police have arrested Sheikh Mohamed Ali Kariye, a religious cleric from Somaliland, following a social media post in which he opposed Israel’s recent announcement recognizing Somaliland.

In a Facebook post published on Friday, the cleric called on the public to reject Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, using highly charged language. Local reports indicate that Sheikh Kariye was taken into custody shortly after the post circulated online.

Somaliland police confirmed the arrest and stated that additional individuals have been detained in connection with activities they claim undermine Somaliland’s unity and security. Authorities warned that legal action would be taken against anyone engaging in acts deemed threatening to public order or national cohesion.

In an official statement, the police urged the public to stand united against such individuals and to cooperate closely with law enforcement agencies. The statement emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and preventing actions that could incite unrest.

From a policy perspective, the arrest highlights rising internal sensitivities within Somaliland following Israel’s recognition announcement, particularly regarding freedom of expression, public order, and the management of dissent during a period of heightened international attention. The incident also underscores the broader domestic challenges faced by de facto authorities as external recognition debates intersect with internal security and governance considerations.