Somalia: Somaliland authorities detain two TV journalists

GEBILEY, Somalia Nov 2, 2014 (Garowe Online)-Somaliland authorities in Gebiley town Friday arrested two TV journalists-Mohamed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Jubba) and Mukhtar Nuh Ibrahim-who were working for UK-based Somali channels, SOMSAT and Horn Cable Televisions respectively, spurring local condemnations from Press Watchdog and Human Rights Commission, Garowe Online reports. 

Mohamud and Ibrahim were detained for reporting on low-turnout ruling party conference and anti-government protests. 

Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) criticized the government for unconstitutionally silencing the independent media workers and called for unconditional release of two TV journalists on Saturday. 

“I contacted Gebiley Governor, former journalist and SOLJA member Mustafe Abdi Isse. He said the reporters were arrested for covering Kulmiye party conference in Gebiley,” said deputy chairman of SOLJA Mohamed Abdi Urad, noting that the detained journalists filmed crowds setting Kulmiye flag on fire near the ruling party’s headquarters. 

Meanwhile, Somaliland Human Rights Commission on Sunday asked the government to respect the freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution. 

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as de facto sovereign state in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet.

GAROWEONLINE