(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has condemned the arrests of journalists in recent days in both the northern breakaway state of Somaliland and in the southwestern city of Baidoa, where the transitional federal government has its seat. Three executives of the Hargeisa-based independent daily “Haatuf” have been arrested in Somaliland. Hussein Mohammed Abikar of the […]
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has condemned the arrests of journalists in recent days in both the northern breakaway state of Somaliland and in the southwestern city of Baidoa, where the transitional federal government has its seat. Three executives of the Hargeisa-based independent daily “Haatuf” have been arrested in Somaliland. Hussein Mohammed Abikar of the privately-owned Voice of the Holy Quran radio station has been arrested in Baidoa.
“The fall of the Islamic Courts was supposed to usher in an era of peace and democracy in Somalia, so we are stunned to see the new year begin with a journalist being abducted again by government militias in Baidoa, while a newspaper known for being critical has been shut down in Somaliland and its executives thrown in prison,” Reporters Without Borders said.
“President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, whose powers have been increased by the state of emergency, must ensure that Abikar is quickly freed and that his followers respect the press, while the Somaliland government must release ‘Haatuf”s management and allow this newspaper to resume publishing without any further impediments,” the press freedom organisation added.
Police stormed into the offices of “Haatuf” in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, on the afternoon of 2 January 2007 and arrested publisher Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, editor Ali Abdi Dini and chief financial officer Hussein Kalif Abdullahi, who was beaten while he was being taken to the police station. The authorities have not yet explained why they were arrested or why they are still being held.
Abikar, the Voice of the Holy Quran’s correspondent for the Lower Shabelle region, was arrested in Baidoa on 1 January by forces loyal to the transitional federal government, who seized his journalistic material. It is not known where he is being held.
The Reporters Without Borders partner organisation in Somalia, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), said Abikar was reportedly suspected of spying. He was arrested once before in the district of Diinsor and his material was confiscated on that occasion as well. Following his first arrest, he was freed as a result of the intervention of the deputy defence minister.
Reporters Without Borders meanwhile hails NUSOJ’s action in joining with most of Somalia’s media and journalists’ organisations on 2 January to issue an appeal to the transitional federal government to respect press freedom. Reporters Without Borders endorses the appeal and reaffirms its support for Somali journalists who are committed to the principles of democracy and equity.
