somaliland

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CPJ calls on Somaliland’s president to prioritize press freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists writes to the President of the Republic of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi urging him to free imprisoned journalists and ensure news outlets can operate freely.

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People wave flags as soldiers and other military personnel of Somalia's breakaway territory of Somaliland march past during an Independence day celebration parade in the capital, Hargeisa on May 18, 2016. Somaliland authorities detained journalist Mohamed Aabi Digaale on February 17, 2018. (Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP)

Somaliland journalist detained without charge

Nairobi, February 21, 2018–Somaliland authorities should immediately release Mohamed Aabi Digaale, the Hargeisa bureau chief for the London-based broadcaster Universal TV, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police arrested Mohamed on February 17 and have been holding him without charge, Guleid Ahmed Jama, chairperson of the advocacy organization Human Rights Center, and Abdullahi Hersi…

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Women march in a procession to celebrate the 25th anniversary of proclaimed independence in the capital Hargeisa, Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia on May 18, 2016. (AP/Barkhad Dahir)

Somaliland journalists sentenced to two years in prison on propaganda charges

Nairobi, January 08, 2017–A Somaliland regional court yesterday sentenced journalists Mohamed Abdilaahi Dabshid and Ahmed Dirie Liltire, to two years of prison on charges of conducting propaganda against the state, bringing Somaliland into contempt and “bringing the flag or national emblem of a foreign state” into contempt, according to a statement by the Human Rights…

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Muse Bihi Abdi speaks to the media after casting his vote in the presidential election in Hargeisa, in the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland, in Somalia on November 13, 2017. As Somaliland's new president, Muse should seize the opportunity to make press freedom a priority for his administration, CPJ said today. (AP/Barkhad Kaariye/File)

Somaliland journalists detained, accused of “false news”

Nairobi, December 20, 2017 – Somaliland authorities should immediately release Ahmed Sa’ed and Abdirahman Mohamed Ege, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police on December 18 arrested the Somali journalists on allegations of publishing false news about the mayor of Berbera, a port city in the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland, according to Guleid Ahmed…

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Somaliland journalist detained without charge over false news claim

Police in Gabiley arrested Abdirisak Dayib Ali on December 5, 2017 for allegedly publishing a false report on the news website Gabiley News earlier that month, according to his lawyer, Guleid Ahmed Jama, and Mohamud Abdi Jama, chair of the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA).

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A general view of Hargeisa in May 2016. A court in the city sentenced a Somaliland journalist to 18 months in prison. (AFP/Mohamed Abdiwahab)

Somaliland court jails journalist for 18 months

Nairobi, October 10, 2017–The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the conviction and sentencing of Somaliland journalist Mohamed Adan Dirir during a one-day trial held without the journalist’s lawyer.

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Somaliland police ride horses during independence celebrations in Hargeisa in 2013. Authorities in the region are detaining a journalist on false news accusations. (Reuters/Feisal Omar)

Somaliland journalist detained on false news accusation

Nairobi, September 27, 2017–Somaliland authorities should immediately release Mohamed Adan Dirir, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Police arrested the Somali journalist on September 16 on allegations of incitement and publishing false news, local journalist groups told CPJ.

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In this May 16, 2015, file photo, a printer prepares materials to commemorate the anniversary of Somaliland's declaration of independence from Somalia. (Reuters/Feisal Omar)

TV journalist detained in Somaliland

Nairobi, July 10, 2017–Authorities in Somaliland should immediately release TV journalist Omar Ali Hassan Serbiya, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Security officers arrested Omar when he arrived at Hargeisa on July 8, the administrative capital of the semi-autonomous republic, his employer told CPJ.

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Somaliland journalist held without charge for asking question at press conference

New York, June 1, 2017–Authorities in the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland should immediately release Mohamed Adan Dirir, the editor of the online news portal Horseed Media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Mohamed has been jailed without charge since Somaliland Health Minister Saleban Isee ordered police to arrest him after he asked a question…

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Somaliland editor detained after trading himself for colleague’s freedom

New York, April 20, 2017–Somaliland authorities should immediately release Ibrahim Osman Ahmed, editor of Hangool News, who has been held without charge since April 15, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Ibrahim is in custody in Hargeisa Central Police Station after handing himself over to police to secure the release of Abdirahman Arab Da’ud,…

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