The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) protests against the sustained suppression of journalists and news media by Somaliland authorities following today’s arrest of television reporter.
On Tuesday, 3 July 2018, Somaliland police in Borame of Awdal region arrested Horri Ahmed Horri, a reporter for privately owned Horn Cable TV in Borame at his home in the sunrise. The journalist’s arrest was ordered by the Governor of Awdil region Mr. Abdirahman Ahmed Ali.
Consistent with information received by NUSOJ from local journalists, Awdal Governor was infuriated by a question asked by Horri in a press conference that the governor held on 30 June in which Horri questioned the governor about armed movement led by Suldan Abibakar Wabar who is commanding a secessionist rebel group in Awdal region against Somaliland administration.
The governor reportedly rang the journalist in the night of 30 June and threatened with an arrest, which forced Horri to hide from his home for three days, and after returning home last night, the journalist was arrested in this morning.
“Detention of Horri Ahmed Horri reveals the mounting intolerance of Somaliland officials to the journalistic work of independent journalists and private media. It is abysmal for a journalist to spend a night in a police cell for asking uncomfortable question,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
NUSOJ demands immediate and unconditional release of Horri Ahmed Horri, and urges Somaliland administrate to stop immediately the operation of coercion and censorship against independent journalists and private media.