Kismayo (RBC Radio) Somali Media Peace and Development (SOMPED) had said it was much worried about the case of a Somali journalist who was ordered by an Al Shabab court to leave from the port city of Kismayo within 36 hours on Monday.

Mohamed Salad Abdulle, a reporter with Bardhere based Markabley Radio and other Somali broadcasters, was detained in Kismayo on 15 March. Mohamed Salad was arrested by the Islamist group of Al Shabab allegedly he reported meeting between Al Shabab and Hisbul Islam, another rival Islamist group.

On Monday 22 March, the Al Shabab court in Kismayo released Mohamed Salad Abdulle but ordered to leave Kismayo within 36 hours, where he has long stationed.

“This is a kind of frightening act as Somali citizen in his born area to be expelled as a foreigner”, the chairman of SOMPED Media group, Farah Ahmed Atto said in a statement.

At the samed time an other journalist, Mohamed Abdulkarim, who also reports for Markabley Radio, was detained in Beled Hawo town.

Mohamed Abdulkarim was arrested by Al Shabab members after they alleged that he reported an interview with local elders that referred to the Somali government. But he was later released with a warning.

SOMPED media group welcomed the release of the reporter.

Since taking control of several regions in Somalia, Al Shabab has imposed hard and increasing restrictions on the local media causing many journalists to flee from the country.

From Somali Media, Peace and Developments (SOMPED)

For more information contact SOMPED chairperson Farah Ahmed at:
Tel: (614) 733-9396 or email: Caato@Somped.org

Somali Media and Peace Developments (SOMPED)

Somped
2185 Morse RD suite 70
columbus Oh 43229
Caato@Somped.org
Tel: (614) 733-9396

 
The Somali Media and Peace Developments (SOMPED) strongly condemns illegal arrest of Ali Yusuf Aden, Somali local reporter in Wanla-weyn district of Lower Shabelle region on Sunday 21st Februray 2010.
 
Ali Yusuf Aden was a private reporter for Somaliweyn radio based in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
 
The arrest of Ali Yusuf Aden is still unclear, but local residents and media group believe his arrest is tied with a report which Somaliweyn radio has broadcasted on Sunday.
 
“We can not justify what the arrest of Ali Yusuf Aden in linked to, but what we know is that his arrest came shortly after we released a news event about an old man who was killed by the Al Shabab militia in the town, the man was aacused of being late from the prayer”, one of Somaliweyn radio reporters told RBC Radio in a condition of anonymity.
 
Aburkar Hassan Kabar, Somaliweyn radio director in Mogadishu has said they are concerned about the detaintion of the journalist, while his family did not obtain a full details about his situation and where he is really detained.
 
Farah Ahmed Atto, the chairman of SOMPED told that there is no any report of where the reporter was detained.
 
“We are strongly codemning the arrest of Ali Yusuf Aden and we demand for his immediate release”, said SOMPED Chairman Farah Ahmed Atto. “This is a kind of harrasment that shows how dangerous the situation is for journalists in the country”, he added.
 
The chairman of SOMPED describes the arrest as a kind of pressure and silence to the local media in Somalia.
 
The Al Shabab officials in Wanla-weyn did not want to comment on the arrest of the journalist.
 
Al Shabab group, which is battling against the Somali government had forced journalists to stop reporting about their activities while banning local radio stations broadcasting music and songs which the group describes as illegal.
 
At least five radio stations in the south central Somalia had been forced to be off air since last four months.
 

For More information contact SOMPED Chairman Farah Amed Atto at 00614 733-9396.

Press Release No: 002-16/Jan/2010

SOMPED Condemns the Attack on Three Radio Stations in Galka’yo Town of Mudug Region

Somali Media Peace and Developments (SOMPED) has today condemned the attack on three radio stations in the Galka’yo town, the provincial capital of Mudug region.

“We condemn the attack which was targeted three radio stations in Galka’yo town on Friday night of 15 January 2010, this is aggression and unacceptable attack and it is attack on press freedom”, SOMPED’s chairman Farah Ahmed Atto said in a press release.

On Friday night of 15 January unidentified assailants had thrown hand grenades on three radio stations located in Galka’yo town injuring three persons whom include two local journalists and security guard.

The attack which the assailants targeted the three stations had also caused damage on two of the radio stations.

“The attack was targeted Radio Galka’yo, Radio Voice of Mudug and Radio Hobyo and it seems it was organized aiming to cause heavy damage on the journalists operating in these stations”, Mr. Atto said.

“No one can accept any attack against free media in the country and we call for urgent investigation on the assailants”, he added.

No group had claimed the attack still while the police commander in the region had said they were investigating the case.

SOMPED’s chairman wishes good health and best recovery to all three wounded persons who two of them were journalists from Radio Voice of Mudug.

SOMPED chairman had called the Puntland and Galmudug administrations, which both run the two sides of the Galka’yo town to fully undertake the security of the media individuals and their stations and prevent any cruel act against them.

For More information contact SOMPED Chairman Farah Ahmed Atto at 00614 733-9396 or caato@somped.org.