Somaliland Military Detains a Journalist in Military Custody
Mogadishu, July 15, 2014-The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns the arrest of a Television Journalist in the restive town of Laas-Anod on Monday by the Somaliland military, the latest in a string of violence against the media workers in Somalia.
Units of Somaliland military arrested Adam Mohamed Karaama a correspondent of the banned UK based Universal Television, in the Sool region and took him to military custody, according to journalists and local media reports.
According to Mohamed Shaqale, “the journalist was detained by the military and his whereabouts is not yet known.” Adding, they knew he was taken to military custody for questioning.”
Somaliland authorities did not comment the arrest of the journalist, but journalists believe that the journalist was arrested in connection with a recently published story that accused Somaliland military of killing civilians outside Laas-Anod.
The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) demand from the Somaliland authorities for the unconditional release of the journalist and calls for respect to the deteriorating media freedoms in the regions it controls.
“We demand the unconditional release of our colleague.” Mohamed Ibrahim, NUSOJ Secretary General said, “Its sad that media workers are intimidated with arbitrary arrests to undermine the free reporting.”
“We call for the Somaliland authorities to respect the media freedoms and the freedom of expression, enshrined by both Somaliland constitution, Federal Constitution of Somalia and the regional treaties on freedom of expression.” Mr. Ibrahim added.
On 14 June, 2014, the regional court of Hargeysa sentenced Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, chairman of the Haatuf Media Network and Ahmed Ali Igeh, chief editor of the network to 3 years jail term each and 50 Million Somaliland Shilings of fine which is equivalent to $8,000 US Dollars for spreading false information and defaming government officials. The court also revoked the newspaper licenses
In February, 2014, Somaliland authorities also suspended indefinately the offices of Universal TV for allegedly accusing to have offended the regional president Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo. The comedy programme that Univiersla Television broadcast weekly annoyed the administration leading to the shut down of the Television offices in Hargeysa. The UK based Television continue to broadcast via Satellite.
NUSOJ