HARGEISA — Security forces in the self-declared republic of Somaliland on Sunday arrested singer Khalid Kaamil, a member of the popular Dayah Band music group, according to local sources.
The circumstances surrounding the arrest were not immediately clear, and authorities had not issued an official statement explaining the reasons for his detention at the time of publication.
Khalid Kaamil is widely known as one of the leading performers of Dayah Band, a music group that has attracted a large following among Somali-speaking audiences across the Horn of Africa and the diaspora.
Witnesses said the singer was taken into custody in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, although details regarding the exact location of the arrest and any potential charges remain unclear.
The detention has sparked discussion on social media, where supporters, fellow artists and members of the public have called on authorities to clarify the reasons behind the arrest and disclose his legal status.
Neither Somaliland police nor authority officials immediately responded to requests for comment.
The arrest comes amid growing public attention to issues surrounding freedom of expression and the treatment of artists and public figures in the region, although it remains unclear whether the detention is linked to the singer’s professional activities.
Further details are expected as authorities release additional information about the case.
