Outcry as Somaliland media outlet raided, journalists detained

The detention of journalists in the Somaliland region has caused a fresh storm after the local press freedom lobby condemned the incident as unjustified.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said the arbitrary detention of journalists by Somaliland security forces on Saturday evening was the latest incident of its members being targeted by the authorities for doing their job as journalists.

Somaliland security forces raided and forcibly entered the headquarters of Maan Media TV, popularly known as MM SomaliTV, a private television station.

"During the raid, journalists and staff of MM Somali TV were subjected to physical violence," the media advocacy group said.

It added that a debate on X (formerly Twitter) Space titled 'The benefits and dangers of the agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland' irritated the authorities.

According to the statement, the programme was forcefully and abruptly stopped, leaving online participants in the debate confused by the interruption.

"Various equipment, including computers and cameras, were deliberately damaged by the security forces," NUSOJ said, adding that during the violent operation, journalists Mohamed Abdi Sheikh (commonly known as Mohamed Ilig), who serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MM Somali TV, Mohamed Abdi Abdullahi (Andar), a reporter, and Ilyas Abdinasir, a media worker and technician, were blindfolded.

The said media workers were then forcibly placed in an unmarked vehicle, believed to belong to Somaliland intelligence services, and arbitrarily detained at an undisclosed location.

"The motive behind this unjustified raid and arbitrary arrests is deeply disturbing, NUSOJ said.

According to the media advocate, if the debate continues, there are fears that it will further inflame public opinion and provoke a backlash against the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland on January 1, 2024.

Somaliland Information Minister Ali Hassan Mohamed reportedly warned independent journalists and private media outlets on Saturday morning against discussing issues related to the MOU, specifically advising them not to cover the unfolding diplomatic reactions and public protests against the deal.

Somalia, including breakaway Somaliland, is one of the most difficult places in the world for journalists and media houses to operate. Over the past three decades, hundreds of journalists have been killed, injured or forced to flee. Many private broadcasters have been ransacked, while others have been threatened with closure.

Commenting on the attack on the journalists, NUSOJ General Secretary Omar Faruk Osman said: "The raid on MM Somali TV and the arbitrary arrest of the journalists are disgraceful acts of repression against press freedom. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of our colleagues and an end to the harassment and intimidation of journalists.

Osman added, "The Somaliland authorities must respect the fundamental right to freedom of expression and the vital role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability.

"If the Somaliland authorities truly believe in the MOU and its contents, they should be allowed to stand up to public scrutiny and accept accountability, instead of attempting to target courageous journalists and deny the public access to diverse opinions and unfettered access to all relevant information."