MOGADISHU — After spending more than four months in detention, Somali social media activist Sacdiya Macalin Ali, popularly known as Sacdiya Bajaaj, has been released after the Banadir Regional Court of Appeal overturned the three-year prison sentence imposed by a lower court in June 2026.
The appellate court ruled that the original conviction lacked adequate legal foundation, citing insufficient evidence for the charges of public incitement and insulting state institutions. The judges ordered her immediate release, bringing an end to her 122-day detention.
Sacdiya, a 27-year-old mother and former tuk-tuk driver, was arrested on April 12, 2026, by officers of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in Mogadishu’s Hodan district and was transferred to Mogadishu Central Prison two days later. She was convicted on June 25, 2026, on charges including “insulting state institutions” and “incitement to commit an offense,” stemming primarily from videos she posted on social media criticizing government officials.
Her defense lawyer, Mohamed Sheikh Osman Said, confirmed the court’s decision, hailing it as a victory for due process. “We have always believed that Sacdiya was innocent and committed no crime. The court has seen the truth and released her,” said Advocate Zakariye Ismail Nur, one of her defense lawyers.
The Banadir Regional Court of Appeal had commenced hearings on Sacdiya’s appeal on Sunday, August 2, 2026, with defense lawyers presenting legal arguments challenging the lower court’s ruling.
The case had drawn significant public attention from its earliest stages, with the Banaadir Regional Court initially hearing the case against Sacdiya in May 2026. The case had sparked debate over freedom of expression, judicial independence, and the limits of online speech in Somalia.
The case attracted widespread national and international attention, with human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, describing her detention as arbitrary and calling for her release. Opposition leaders and civil society groups rallied behind her, arguing that the prosecution reflected a broader pattern of restricting dissent and criminalizing online commentary critical of government officials.
Opposition Leaders Welcome Release
Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed welcomed Sacdiya’s release, describing her detention as “unjust” and “politically motivated.” “We are happy that Sacdiya Macalin Ali has regained her freedom today, after four months of being unjustly imprisoned by a term-expired regime,” Sharif said. He praised the resilience of Somali youth and the media for standing by Sacdiya and opposing what he called “the repression of former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud against the people, especially the youth.”
Sharif also commended “the youth of the capital, the media, and everyone who stood with Sacdiya Macalin and opposed the arrogance and repression of former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.” He called on Somali youth everywhere to demonstrate unity, resilience, and solidarity.
Opposition politician Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame also welcomed the release, saying: “Sacdiya’s resilience, and the courage of Judge Cabdifitaax, create hope and determination. They show us that Somalia still has good, principled, and courageous young people who do not sell their conscience and principles for positions, wealth, or personal gain.” He added that there are others like Judge Cabdifitaax in the judiciary, civil service, diplomacy, and the military who believe that law, justice, and national interest are greater than any individual interest. “That is encouragement, hope, and determination.”
Warsame said the ruling by the Chairman of the Banadir Regional Court of Appeal serves as a “great lesson” for those who “have sacrificed their honour and conscience to please the leadership of Hassan Sheikh in exchange for positions, wealth, and power.” He concluded that “power, positions, and wealth are temporary, but history is long-term, and it will remember those who stood firm, showed courage, and stood for justice when times were hardest.”
The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing tension between Somalia’s legal framework and the protection of fundamental rights. While the government has maintained that the legal process was conducted in accordance with the law, the appeals court’s decision to overturn the conviction has raised questions about the legal basis of the original prosecution and the circumstances under which she was detained for more than four months.
Critical Note
While Sacdiya Bajaaj’s release is a welcome development, the case highlights the precarious state of freedom of expression in Somalia. The arbitrary arrest and detention of a young mother and activist for peacefully expressing her views raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to protecting fundamental rights. The appeals court’s decision to overturn the conviction, while correct, should not obscure the fact that she spent 122 days in detention for exercising her constitutional rights.
The government must ensure that such cases are not repeated and that individuals who speak out against injustice are protected rather than persecuted. The international community, which has invested heavily in Somalia’s state-building, must continue to press for accountability and respect for human rights, while the Somali government must demonstrate that it is committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens.
