Somaliland: Musician arrested after returning back home

[Deeq A.]

Musician Nimcaan Hilaac has been reportedly arrested in his home town of Boroma in Somaliland, according to Freemuse sources and a local news report.

During the arrest police allegedly also beat the musician’s father, sister and nephew. Police also allegedly shot and injured several neighbours while they witnessed the arrest.

According to sources, the musicians had spent nearly two years living in the Somali capital of Mogadishu to promote his music career.

This is not the first time the musician has been arrested for traveling to Mogadishu. In August 2015 he was arrested in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland – a self-declared, though internationally unrecognised state that has distanced itself from Somalia as it is seen as a threat to their independence as long as it retains cultural unity with the country.

That same year four other musicians were arrested after returning from a tour in Mogadishu. In 2016, another musician was arrested for the same travel and his interest in running for public office.

Free Muse