2011 Somaliland Reporters Anatomy of Injustice—by Mr. Hassan Mohamed Yusuf- Director of Somaliland Journalist Association’ (SOLJA)
Hargeisa-(Berberanews)- 2011 Somaliland Reporters Anatomy of Injustice—by Mr. Hassan Mohamed Yusuf- Director of Somaliland Journalist Association’ (SOLJA)
Somaliland Journalist Association (SOLJA)—an independent, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting good practices and freedom of expression on behalf of the country’s journalists and media outlets has put forth year 2011 Illicit Imprisonments & Beatings carried out by Somaliland authority against journalists.
December 10, 2011 – Mr. Ali Ismail Aare (Waahen Newspaper) imprisoned for 3 days with out charges by police in Borama, Somaliland.
October 27, 2011 – Mr. Mohamed Abdi Kahin (Bosh) worked for Ramaas News & Royal T.V. was beaten and arrested by Somaliland police for reporting on demonstration rally held by mothers and their children.
September 19, 2011 –Mr. Mustapha Sh.Omar Gedi Editor for Saxafi Newspaper was beaten and imprisoned by Somaliland police after reporting on the government’s force removal of poor and low income youths from their residence in Goljano district, Hargeisa.
September 10, 2011 – Mr. Saleban Abdi Ali (Waahen Newspaper) was beaten and imprisoned by Somaliland’s Special Police Unit (SPU) while executing his daily job and reporting on the newly appointed minster of Interior Hon. Nur Arale (Duur).Detained for more than 10 hours The reporter was freed without charges only after SOLJA organization rallied in front of the police station demanding their colleague’s immediate release.
September 12, 2011 – Mr. Ahmed Musa Mohamed (Waahen Newspaper) arrested for 7 days without any charges. The reporter was later released by Togdheer regional court.
September 7, 2011 – Charges brought against Waahen Newspaper by Ministry of Finance-Somaliland.
September 5, 2011 – Mr. Ali Ismail Aare (Waahen Newspaper) was arrested by Awdal region municipality, after reporting a case involving a low income residence front door being pulled out and taken by Awdal municipality for unpaid municipal tax. It was later reported that the doors have been given back to their owners and the reporter released, again without charges.
August 22, 2011 – The current ruling government brought charges against HCTV media and forwarded it to Somaliland Higher courts. The charges involve an aired interview of Osman Buurmadow by the cable T.V-(HCTV).
July 15, 2011 – Mr. Abdi-Nurow Abdi Aborey- photographer working for HCTV was ferociously and violently beaten by Somaliland police force after taking pictures of forcibly moving a low income Internaly Displaced Persons-IDPs occupying a government owned land in Sha’ab district-Hargeisa.
July 15, 2011 – Mr. Mohamed Abdi Iro- Chief Editor of Jamhuriya Newspaper was meanly roughed up and arrested at gun point by Somaliland police executing an arrest warrant from Somaliland’s regional courts. The editor was working at office during his arrest.
March 22, 2011- Mr. Mohamed Osman A. Hashi (Somali Chanel T.V.) was arrested by La’as-Anod city police during his working hours. No charges have been laid against the reporter yet.
02, March, 2010- Mr. Mohamed Said Abdullahi (Xarago) – Chief Editor of BerberaNews.com was unlawfully and unjustifiable arrested by Mr. Ibrahim Dhagosayan-the director of Sahel region Criminal Investigation Department-CID. The arrest happened while the chief editor of BereberaNews.com Mr. Mohamed Said (Xarago) was at his work. Mr. Mohamed Said was brutally beaten by the CID director’s staff and later transferred to Berbera’s detention center. On March/6th/11 the chief editor of BerberaNews.com after spending 4 consecutive days behind bars appeared in court. The judge examined the case brought by the Mayor of Berbera city as well as the CID and with not enough reliable evidence, the presiding judge ordered the immediate release of Mr. Mohamed Said.
February 28, 2011 – Mr. Mohamed Ali Sh. Mohamed (Ogaal Newspaper) was arrested by Mr. Mohamed Hirsi Oomane of Somaliland Supreme courts. The reporter was detained unlawful y after he asked concerns of varies complaints towards the attorney general by citizens.
January 22, 2011- Mr Mohamoud Abdi Jama (Xuuto) Chief Editor of Waahen Newspaper was imprisoned and fined by Somaliland regional court. The chief editor was sentenced to 3 years behind bars and fined 6 million Somaliland Shillings’ ($ 900 US dollars).
Special Notice:-
- On Sept/19/11 39 employees were fired from the Ministry of Information-Somaliland. All most all of them have been reporters on national issues.
- 46 newly employed by the Ministry of Information whom passed their examination have not yet received their monthly salary.
Waahen News: The commander chief for Somaliland police force Gen. Elmi Rooble Kabal and the director general of Hargeisa city’s electricity department accused the chief editor of Waahen Mr. Mohamed Abdi (Xuuto) of fabrications. The Chief of the Police department argued that Mr. Xuuto misinformed the public on issues concerning Ceel-Bardale residence and thus creating animosity amongst the citizens’ of Ceel-Bardale. The editor of Waahen news Mr. Xuuto was later pardoned by the president and released on Feb/9th/2011
Hargeisa News: The presidential minister who previously was chief of cabinet Mr. Hirsi Ali Hassan accused the paper on fabricating story regarding Somaliland president Siilanyo’s travel to the UK. The report elaborated on the traveling funds managed and misused by Mr. Hirsi Ali. The reporter for Hargeisa News Mr. Hassan Mohamed Yusuf was detained by the CID where he was harassed as well as denied his rights. The reporter was later realesd when the presidential Minister Mr. Hirsi withdrew his case.
Saxafi News: The Minister of Civil Aviation Mr. Mohamoud Hashi Abdi accused the news agency of manufacturing and printing story saying that the minister took 10-million dollar which Kuwait government donated to Somaliland. The reporter for Saxafi Abdi-Fatah Mohamoud Aidid was order to appear in court. The case was later dismissed after the minster and his lawyers failed to deliver a reliable and accurate evidence against Saxafi reporter to the court.
Yool and Ogaal News: Although these 2 news agencies’ have not yet been accused by any Somaliland government official, in a number of occasions, CID agents detained senior reporter of Yool Mr. Mohamed Abdi Urad for questioning.
Final Note:-
“As Arab Spring has shown, the press has a huge role to play in efforts to improve human rights and democracy across Africa, Hence an Urgent measures must be taken to uphold the fundamental rights and freedom of expression for Somaliland reporters” Says Mr. Mohamed Rashid Muhumed Farah the Deputy Director of Somaliland Journalist Associations’ (SOLJA)
