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SJS & SOMA concerned about continued persecution against Goobjoog Journalist

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SJS secretary general, Abdalle Mumin (right), SOMA secretary general, Mohamed Abduwahab (right) and Goobjoog journalist Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye shortly after the court hearing ends on Tuesday 14 July, 2020.
SJS secretary general, Abdalle Mumin (right), SOMA secretary general, Mohamed Abduwahab (right) and Goobjoog journalist Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye shortly after the court hearing ends on Tuesday 14 July, 2020. | Photo/ SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 14 July 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) are concerned about the continued prosecution against Goobjoog journalist, Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye as the second day of hearing his case took place on Tuesday 14 July, 2020.

The Banadir Regional Court today said it has a jurisdiction to hear the case while declining the preliminary objections mounted by the defense lawyers last week. The Court further asked the Office of the Attorney General (AG) for clarity on the charges against Gurbiye and to declare who were the victims of this case before adjourning the hearing.

We, SJS and SOMA, jointly reiterate that journalist Gurbiye should not be persecuted for doing his job as a journalist. Somali federal authorities should stop muzzling free press and intimidations against journalists.

“Today we have attended the court hearing of the case against Abdiaziz Gurbiye. The court demanded the Attorney General to name who is accusing Gurbiye and I think that is enough to say that this case is baseless. We call for the AG to drop these baseless charges against Gurbiye,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the secretary general of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said.

Gurbiye was first arrested and charged with Article 220 of the Penal Code on 14 April a day after he wrote a Facebook post alleging, “the Somali president had taken away a donated ventilator” from a local hospital which treats Covid-19 patients. He was released on bail on 18 April. But the Attorney General changed the charges, according to a document seen by SJS and SOMA.

“It is very concerning that this case is taking long. Somali federal authorities must not misuse the judiciary. We reject any accusations against journalist Gurbiye,” Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the secretary general of Somali Media Association (SOMA) said.

SJS and SOMA secured lawyers to defend Gurbiye before the court of law as the first hearing of the case took place today on 7 July, where representatives from SJS, SOMA, Goobjoog Media Group and journalists attended.  The court was adjourned after the defending lawyers opposed the criminal charges brought by the Attorney General’s office and also questioned the court’s jurisdiction to handle, as there were no victims to be mentioned in the case.

Mogadishu court adjourns case against Goobjoog journalist Gurbiye, SJS and SOMA call for the AG to drop charges

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SJS and SOMA General Secretaries stand in solidarity with journalist Abdiaziz Gurbiye after the court appearance on Tuesday 7 July, 2020.
SJS and SOMA General Secretaries stand in solidarity with journalist Abdiaziz Gurbiye after the court appearance on Tuesday 7 July, 2020. | Photo/SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 7 July, 2020 – Somali Media Association (SOMA) and Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) jointly call for the Office of the Attorney General (AG) of the Federal Government of Somalia to drop charges against Goobjoog Editor, Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye who appeared today before the Banadir Regional Court after he was was pressed with unlawful criminal charges issued on 23 June by the Office of the Attorney General through the Banadir Regional Court.

SJS and SOMA secured lawyers to defend Mr. Gurbiye before the court of law as the first hearing of the case took place today on 7 July, where representatives from SJS, SOMA, Goobjoog Media Group and journalists attended.  The court was adjourned after the defending lawyers opposed the criminal charges brought by the Attorney General’s office and also questioned the court’s jurisdiction to handle, as there were no victims to be mentioned in the case.

Mr. Gurbiye was first arrested and charged with Article 220 of the Penal Code on 14 April a day after he wrote a Facebook post alleging, “the Somali president had taken away a donated ventilator” from a local hospital which treats Covid-19 patients. He was released on bail on 18 April. But the Attorney General changed the charges, according to a document seen by SJS and SOMA.

In the new charge sheet dated on 23 June, the court summoned Mr. Gurbiye on articles of 328; publishing false news and 269; offending the prestige of public and political administration. These vague offenses are found in the outdated Somali Penal Code to restrict the freedom of speech and the media.

SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin speaks during a press conference inside Banadir Regional Court in Mogadishu on Tuesday 7 July, 2020. | Photo/ SJS.
SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin speaks during a press conference inside Banadir Regional Court in Mogadishu on Tuesday 7 July, 2020. | Photo/ SJS.

“We opposed the criminalisation of journalism because our client, Mr. Gurbiye has been exercising journalism which is not a crime and the criminal code can not be used for cases related to journalism,” Dahir Mohamed Ali, the lead lawyer of the defence team said “We have also challenged the court’s jurisdiction and the validity of the charges as we have not been informed who is pressing the charges against our client.”

During a press conference at the courthouse, SJS Secretary General, Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, SOMA Secretary General, Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi reinforced the defense lawyers’ argument and also called the Federal Government’s Attorney General to stop the charges against Mr. Gurbiye.  Both Mumin and Abdullahi also expressed their concern the several changes made in the previous charge sheet when the journalist was first arrested in April.

“While we emphasise the defence lawyers’ point of argument, we are, however, extremely concerned by the fact that the articles mentioned in the previous charge sheet in April were changed. We also condemn the attempts of intimidations and threats involving in this case,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of SJS said.

Journalists covering the Banadir Regional Court where Goobjoiog journalist, Abdiaziz Gurbiye appeared on Tuesday 7 July, 2020.
Journalists covering the Banadir Regional Court where Goobjoiog journalist, Abdiaziz Gurbiye appeared on Tuesday 7 July, 2020.

“We strongly oppose any criminal charges against journalist Gurbiye and therefore we call for the Attorney General to immediately drop these charges against Gurbiye and stop the judicial harassment aimed to intimidate and silence the independent media and the journalists,” Mohamed Abduwahab Abdullahi, the Secretary General of SOMA said.

The Director of Goobjoog Media, Hassan Mohamed Mohamud thanked SJS and SOMA for the legal defence support and solidarity to their journalist Gurbiye amid in this critical time of Covid-19.

“I thank SJS and SOMA for the outstanding support- not only the legal defence support but also their solidarity and commitment to defend the endangered journalists such as Gurbiye,” the Director of Goobjoog Media, Hassan Mohamed Mohamud said.

Amid increased violence on independent press, SJS and SOMA call for Press Freedom protection

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Press conference by SJS and SOMA leadership in Mogadishu on 05 July, 2020.
Press conference by SJS and SOMA leadership in Mogadishu on 05 July, 2020. | Photo: SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 05 July, 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Somali Media Association (SOMA) jointly call for the protection of the safety of the journalists and freedom of the press amid an increased violence by state actors against independent media and journalists in Somalia and Somaliland.

On Sunday 05 July, armed police attacked and blocked journalists from the independent media houses: Universal TV, Radio Kulmiye, Radio Risaala and Dalsan TV, as they were covering an opposition protest at Daljirka area in Mogadishu. The police confiscated equipment from Universal TV journalists and even threatened with shooting. The equipment was later returned, according to Universal TV’s editor.

On Saturday, police officer slapped journalist Fu’ad Mohamud Mohamed of Radio Risaala forcing him to stop filming on the scene of a car bombing in Hamar Jajab District in Mogadishu. 

Last week, the Banadir Regional Court issued an order summoning Goobjoog Media journalist, Abdiaziz Ahmed Gurbiye to appear before the Court on Tuesday next week. Gurbiye was arrested on 14 April and was released on bail after he wrote an article alleging that Somali president took a donated ventilator from Covid-19 hospital in Mogadishu.   We call for Somali Attorney General and Somali President’s Office to drop their charges against Gurbiye.

Meanwhile SJS and SOMA are extremely concerned by the continued arbitrary detention of Radio Hiigsi’s editor, Mohamed Abduwahab Nuur (Abuuja) who remains imprisoned since March 7 without charges due to his article deemed critical to the security forces.

We jointly call the Somali Federal Government to allow Radio Gedo to resume its operations following its closure by officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) on 28 June and establish an independent and honest investigation into shooting against Radio Danan journalist, Abdifatah Abduqadir Sharif who was shot and injured by a police officer on 25 June.

We also jointly condemn the recent crackdown on the independent media in Somaliland and call for authorities in Somaliland to allow Universal TV and Star TV to resume their operations without any condition.

Amnesty International: Somali authorities must immediately release journalist Mohamed Abdiwahab Nur (Abuja)

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Journalist Mohamed Abduwahaab (Abuuja) has been held incommunicado since March 7, 2020 in Mogadishu. | Photo: SJS.
Journalist Mohamed Abduwahaab (Abuuja) has been held incommunicado since March 7, 2020 in Mogadishu. | Photo: SJS.

Amnesty International is concerned about the continued detention of journalist Mohamed Abdiwahab Nur (Abuja) and the organization is calling on Somalia authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him. Amnesty International is also worried that the journalist who was arbitrarily arrested and detained on 7 March2020 by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) is now at heightened risk in overcrowded detention conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 29 February2020, NISA officials arrested and detained Mohamed Abdiwahab Nur (Abuja), an editor at Radio Hiigsi in a NISA detention facility in Mogadishu. He was later released on 2 March 2020 without charge. Abuja’s father Abdiwahab told Amnesty International that his son was ill-treated while he was in detention.

Abuja was re-arrested by NISA officials on 7 March 2020 and was held incommunicado without access to family and lawyers and without being presented in court until 7 June 2020. On that day, he was secretly taken to a military court in Mogadishu without the knowledge of his family and without a lawyer. According to his lawyer, the journalist was not formally charged at the military court and NISA officials requested more time to complete investigations. The military court ordered the journalist to be transferred to Mogadishu Central Prison where he remains detained. His lawyer met him for the first time on 8 June 2020 at Mogadishu Central Prison.

After social media outrage and protests by journalists in the capital Mogadishu over the continued detention of the journalist, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism issued a statement on 22 April 2020 claiming that the journalist was detained by security agencies and was under investigation for Al-Shabab membership and murder.

Contrary to the claims by the Ministry of Information, Abuja’s father, his lawyer and media advocates told Amnesty International that they believe the journalist was arrested over an editorial piece criticizing security forces in Mogadishu that he published on 26 February2020. In the editorial piece, which was reviewed by Amnesty International, the journalist criticizes the conduct of security forces in Mogadishu and raises questions over security forces’ excessive use of force on the people in the city. His father also said he believes that his son is being unfairly targeted because he is from a minority clan and does not have influential politicians who can advocate for him.

On 15 June2020,two media advocates, his father and one of his lawyers visited Abuja at Mogadishu Central Prison where he is detained. One of the media advocates who met with Abuja told Amnesty International that he was in good spirits but complained of severe headache and pain in his eyes and said that he needed urgent treatment and access to medical care. The journalist also complained of overcrowding in the cell saying that he is detained with 189 others in a small cell and that he is facing difficulties accessing water and sanitary items.

His lawyer Dahir Mohamed Ali told Amnesty International that they have repeatedly asked the military court to inform them of the charges against Abuja, but they are yet to do so.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” had on 3 May, publicly committed to reform the old and outdated 1962 Penal Code that is often used against journalists and promised to support the right to freedom of expression and decriminalize media and journalism. The continued detention of journalist Abuja undermines the right to freedom of expression and media freedom and runs contrary to that commitment.

The Government of Somalia is required both under international human rights law and under its domestic laws to respect, protect, promote and fulfill human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and media freedom. Independent journalists like Abuja play a critical role informing the public about government policies and exposing human rights violations and abuses. They need to be protected and not targeted with imprisonment and other forms of harassment and intimidation.

(READ THE FULL STATEMENT FROM Amnesty International here)

SJS oo cambaareysay xarigga Radio Gedo iyo ammarka Somaliland ee ka dhanka ah Universal TV iyo Star TV

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Sawir aan taariikhdiisa la garan oo tusinaya askar ku sugan Degmada Doolow, gobolka Gedo.
Sawir aan taariikhdiisa la garan oo tusinaya askar ku sugan Degmada Doolow, gobolka Gedo.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya 29 Juun 2020 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu ugu baaqayaa maamulka Gobolka Gedo ee Dowlada Federaalka Soomaaliya inay u ogolaadaan Idaacadda Radio Gedo inay howlaheedii dib u bilowdo ayna ciidankooda kala baxaan xarunta idaacadda, sidoo kalena ugu baaqayaa maamulka Somaliland inay joojiyaan beegsiga ka dhanka ah Telefsihinnada Universal TV iyo Star TV.

Ciidamo hubeysan oo ka tirsan kuwa Nabadsugidda (NISA) oo uu hoggaaminayay sarkaal lagu magacaabo Cabdullaahi Kaniini ayaa galay xarunta Idaacadda Radio Gedo ee magaalada Doolow, gobolka Gedo maalinnimadii Axadda 28 Juun, iyagoo ku amray maamulka, suxufiyiinta iyo shaqaalaha idaacadda inay xarunta faarujiyaan, ayna ku wareejiyaan furayaasha Idaacadda, sida uu SJS u sheegay tifaftiraha idaacadda Maxamuud Cabdirashiid. Maamulka idaacadda ayaa sheegay in aan lagu wargelinin sababta loo xiray idaacadda.

“Waxaan cambaareyneynaa weerarka sharci darrada ah iyo hakinta howlihii idaacadda Radio Gedo ee magaalada Doolow. Waxaan ugu baaqeynaa Dowladda Federaalka iyo maamulka gobolka Gedo inay sida ugu dhaqsiyaha badan ugu oggolaadaan idaacadda inay dib u hawlgasho, lagana qaado ciidamada qabsaday idaacadda,” Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS ayaa yiri.

Idaacadda Radio Gedo waxay noqoneysaa warbaahintii saddexaad ee la xiro muddo saddex cisho gudahood ah.

Magaalada Hargeysa ee Somaliland, Wasiirka Warfaafinta Saleebaan Yuusuf Cali (Koore) ayaa amray maanta oo Isniin ah 29 Juun in sii-baahiyaasha telefishannada guduhu ay ka saaraan Universal TV iyo Star TV liiska telefishanada laga fiirsado gudaha Somaliland, ka gadaal markii, sida uu qoraalku ku sheegay Wasiirka uu kala laabtay rukhsaddii ay labada telefishan kaga shaqeynayeen Somaliland. Wasiirka ayaa sidoo kale ku amray shirkadaha ganacsiga inay joojiyaan dhammaan xayeysiinta ay siin jireen talefishinadaas. Ammarka Wasiirka ayaa dhaqan-galayay isla Maanta oo Isniin ah. Talefishinadan ayaa xafiisyadooda la xiray 25kii iyo 27kii bishan Juun.

“Ammarkan uu soo saaray Wasiirka Warfaafinta Somaliland ka soo saaray Telefishinnada Universal TV iyo Star TV waa weerar cad oo lagu qaaday xorriyadda Saxaafadda iyo xadgudub ka dhan ah qodobada aas-aasiga ah ee Dastuuriga ah ee xaqa helista xogta. Waxaan ugu baaqeynaa Maamulka Somaliland inay joojiyaan weerrarada ay ku hayaan warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan, xushmeeyaana Dastuurka Somaliland ee dammaanad qaadaya xorriyadda saxaafadda,” Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS ayaa intaa ku daray.

SJS waxa ay soo dhoweyneysaa xorriyad siinta weriye Jaabir Saciid Ducaale oo ka howlgala Horyaal24 TV oo maalinnimadii Axadda 28 Juun oo laga sii daayay xabsi ku yaalla magaalada Ceerigaabo, laguna siidaayey cafis madaxweyne. Weriyaha ayaa xabsiga loo taxaabay maalinimadii Isniinta ee 22 Juun, kaddib markii lagu soo eedeeyay inuu tebinayay bannaanbax dhallinyarada deegaanka ah ay dhigeen.

SJS condemns closure of Radio Gedo and Somaliland’s order to delist Universal TV and Star TV

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In this undated photo, armed Somali soldiers seen in Dolow in Gedo.
In this undated photo, armed Somali soldiers seen in Dolow in Gedo. | Photo/Private.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 29 June, 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) calls for Somali authorities in Gedo to allow Radio Gedo to resume operations and withdraw security forces from the radio premises as we also call for Somaliland authorities to cease its crackdown on Universal TV and Star TV.

Armed officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) led by Abdullahi Kanini took over the independent privately-owned Radio Gedo premises in the town of Dolow in Gedo region on Sunday 28 June, and ordered journalists and staff to shutdown the radio and leave with immediate effect. According to the chief editor of Radio Gedo, Mohamud Abdirashid who spoke to SJS, the officers instructed the radio management to surrender the station’s keys. The radio station’s management said they were not informed reasons behind the closure.

“We strongly condemn the unlawful raid and the shutting down of Radio Gedo in Dolow town. We call for the Federal and regional authorities in Gedo to immediately allow the radio station to resume operations and pull out its armed officers deployed into the radio premises,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Radio Gedo becomes the third media station closed down within a course of a week.

In Somaliland, on Monday 29 June, the Minister of Information, Saleban Yusuf Ali (Kore) sent a note ordering the local television cable providers to delist both Universal TV and Star TV from their receivers.   In his letter, the minister who stated that his ministry had revoked the licenses from Universal TV and Star TV had also instructed local business companies to cease advertisement contracts with he both outlets. According to the letter, the order took effect on Monday.  Offices of the both stations remain shuttered since 25 June and 27 June respectively.

“This order from the Somaliland’s Minister of Information against Universal TV and Star TV is clearly an attack on press freedom and an infringement against the Constitutional right to access to information. We call Somaliland authorities to stop its crackdown on the independent media and respect its very own Constitution hat guarantees the freedom of the media,”Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary General of the Somali Syndicate (SJS) adds.

SJS welcomes the freedom of Horyaal24 TV journalist, Jabir Said Duale who was released from Erigavo jail on Sunday 28 June on presidential pardon. He was arrested on Monday 22 June and was remanded by the Sanag Regional Court on Thursday on charges related to covering “unlawful” local protest in Erigavo in mid June.

Booliska Somaliland oo weeraray kaddibna xiray Universal TV Hargeisa

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Booliska Somaliland ayaa Sabtidii 27 Juun, 2020 xiray xarunta Universal TV.
Booliska Somaliland ayaa Sabtidii 27 Juun, 2020 xiray xarunta Universal TV. | Sawirka: Gaar ah.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya 27 Juun, 2020 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu si adag u cambaareynayaa weerarka iyo xarigga booliska Somaliland ay u geysteen xarunta Telefishanka Universal ee magaalada Hargeysa Sabtida 27 Juun, 2020 taasoo ah tallaabadii labaad ee la xiro muddo saddex maalmood gudahood ah.

Abbaare 1:45 waqtiga gudaha ayaa ciidan boolis oo hubeysan waxay u dheceen xarunta Universal TV iyagoo ku amray in la hakiyo barnaamij wareed toos uga socday telefishanka. Booliska ayaa telefoonnada ka qaatay weriyaasha iyo shaqaalaha kahor intaysan ku amrin inay isaga tagaan xarunta, sida ay SJS u sheegeen labo suxufi oo xilligaa shaqada ku jiray, iyo agaasimaha telefishanka, Maxamed Caabi Digaale.

“Boolisku waxay noo sheegeen in ammarka laga soo siiyay Wasaaradda Warfaafinta iyo in rukhsaddii nalagala noqday,” ayuu yiri Digaale.

Wasiirka Warfaafinta Somaliland, Saleban Yuusuf Cali (Koore) ayaa xaqiijiyay in ammarka lagu xiray TV-ga uu isagu bixiyay isagoo ku eedeeyay Universal TV inuu diiday baahinta khudbadda Madaxweynaha Somaliland ee munaasabadda Maalinta Xorriyadda ee 26ka Juun. Hase yeeshee agaasimaha Universal TV ayaa sheegay in tv-gu baahiyay labada khudbadood ee madaxweynaha Somaliland iyo tii madaxweynaha Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya, Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo.

SJS waxay si xooggan u cambaareyneysaa isticmaalka awoodda booliska si loo aamusiyo, loona cabsi geluyo saxaafadda madaxa-bannaan ee Somaliland.  Waxaan ugu baaqeynaa masuuliyiinta Somaliland inay deg deg booliska uga qaadaan xarumaha Universal TV iyo Star TV, waana in labaduba loo oggolaado inay shaqadooda dib u bilaabaan shuruud la’aan.

“Weerarka iyo xarigga loo geystay Universal TV iyo Star TV waa dharbaaxo ka dhan ah hannaanka dimuqraadiyadda Somaliland iyo Dastuurkeeda. Warbaahinta madaxa-bannaan waxay xaq u leeyihiin inay kala xushaan wararka ay baahinayaan siday u doonaan,” ayuu yiri Xoghayaha Guud ee SJS, Cabdalle Axmed Mumin oo ku baaqay in Somaliland ay deg deg booliska uga qaaddo Universal TV iyo Star TV, una oggolaato inay shaqadooda dib u bilaabaan.

Waxaan sidoo kale ugu baaqeynaa masuuliyiinta Somaliland inay xorriyaddiisa siiyaan weriyaha Horyaal TV, Jaabir Siciid Ducaale (Bulshaawi) oo hadda ku xiran xabsiga magaalada Ceerigaabo kaddib markii lagu eedeeyay inuu duubay muuqaal dad dibad-bax cabasho ka sameeyay Ceerigaabo bartamihii bishan.

SJS condemns raid and closure of Universal TV’s Hargeisa HQ by Somaliland police

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Somaliland police raided and shuttered Universal TV in Hargeisa on Saturday 27 June, 2020.
Somaliland police raided and shuttered Universal TV in Hargeisa on Saturday 27 June, 2020. | Photo/Courtesy.

MOGADISHU, Somalia – 27 June, 2020- Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the raid and the closure of Universal TV headquarters in Hargeisa by Somaliland police on Saturday 27 June, 2020, the second station shuttered in three days.

Around 1:45 pm (local time), armed police stormed the privately owned independent TV and suspended its live news program on air. The police confiscated mobile phones from the journalists and staff on duty before instructing them to leave the premises, according to two journalists on duty who spoke to SJS and the TV’s director, Mohamed Abi Digale.

“The officers informed us that they were sent by the Minister of Information that our TV license was revoked,” said Mr. Digale.

Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Saleban Yusuf Ali (Kore) has confirmed that the order of closure was issued by himself and accused Universal TV to have refused to live broadcast the nation address by the Somaliland’s president, Muse Bihi Abdi on the 60th anniversary of the Independence Day marked on the 26th June. However the station’s director, Mr. Digale said the TV had live-streamed both speeches of Somaliland president and that of the president of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo during the Independence Day commemorations.

SJS strongly condemns the use of police force to silence and intimidate independent media in Somaliland. We call for the Somaliland authorities to immediately withdraw the police from Universal TV and Star TV stations and allow both stations to resume operations without condition.

“The raid and closure against Universal TV on Saturday and the Star TV on Thursday is a slap in the face of Somaliland’s democratic process and its Constitution. Independent media houses have the right to select and judge their news beats and programs as they want,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We call for Somaliland authorities to immediately withdraw the police from Universal TV and Star TV and permit both stations to resume their operations.” We also call for Somaliland authorities to free Horyaal TV journalist, Jabir Said Duale (Bulshawi) from Erigavo prison where he was remanded on Thursday 25 June, after he was charged with filming a local protest in Erigavo mid this month.

Weriye lagu dhaawacay Muqdisho; Booliska Hargeysa oo la wareegay xarun TV iyo weriye lagu haayo xabsiga Ceerigaabo

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Weriye Cabdifataax Cabduqaadir Shariif oo lagu dhaawacay Muqdisho habeenkii Khamiista 25 Juun, 2020. | SAWIRKA: SJS.
Weriye Cabdifataax Cabduqaadir Shariif oo lagu dhaawacay Muqdisho habeenkii Khamiista 25 Juun, 2020. | SAWIRKA: SJS.

MUQDISHO, Soomaaliya 26 Juun, 2020 – Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) wuxuu cambaareynayaa weerarka hubeysan ah ee uu askari ka tirsan booliska Soomaaliya ku dhaawacay weriye Cabdifataax Cabduqaadir Shariif oo ka howlgala idaacadda madaxa-bannaan ee Danan ee magaalada Muqdisho maalinimadii Khamiista 25 Juun, iyo Tallaabada maamulka Somaliland uu kula wareegay xarunta telefishanka madaxa-bannaan ee Star TV ee magaalada Hargeysa 25 Juun, 2020.

Abbaare 7:45 fiidnimo habeenkii Khamiista ayaa weriye Cabdifataax Cabduqaadir Shariif oo u socda gurigiisa, saarana Mooto Bajaaj ayaa xabbad uu soo riday askari boolis ah dhaawac kaga geysatay jeegada (madaxa qeybtiisa dambe) sida uu u xaqiijiyay SJS Agaasimaha Radio Danan, Maxamed Barre Fiyoore. Suxufiyiin ay wada shaqeeyaan weriyaha iyo qoyskiisa ayaa SJS u sheegay in loola cararay Isbitaalka, halkaas oo qaliin fudud lagula sameeyay. Weriye Cabdifataax oo la hadlay SJS ayaa sheegay inuu sugayo qalliin kale ka hor inta aan isbitaalka laga saarin.

Ma jirto wax ku sababi karay askariga in uu toogto weriyaha, mana jirto tallaabo laga qaaday askariga dhibkaas geystay. Saraakiisha Wasaaradda Warfaafinta Soomaaliya oo ay SJS la xiriirtay iyo hay’adda Dembi baarista ee CID waxa ay sheegeen in ay wadaan baaritaano la xiriira sidii loo soo qaban lahaa askarigaas.

SJS waxay ka dalbaneysaa Dowladda Soomaaliya inay baaritaan deg deg ah ku sameyso falkaas toogashada ah, caddaalada horkeento askarigii ka dambeeyay falkaas.

Dhanka kale, Booliska magaalada Hargeisa ayaa si xoog ah ku galay, lana wareegay xarunta Telefishinkja Star TV uu ku leeyahay Hargeysa, iyagoona ku amray warfidiyeennadii iyo shaqaalihii ka shaqeynayay inay ka baxaan xarunta. Boolisku wax sharraxaad ah lama wadaagin maamulka TV-ga, mana wadan warqad maxkamadeed oo falkaas amreysa sida uu sheegay mid ka mid ah maamulka Star TV Maxamuud Xuseen Jaamac.

Sidoo kale, Maxkamadda gobolka Sanaag ee magaalada Ceerigaabo ayaa amartay in weriye Jaabir Saciid Ducaale (Bulshaawi) oo ka howlgala Horyaal TV in lagu haayo xabsiga muddo toddoba cisho ah, isagoona lagu eedeeyay in uu duubay muuqaal dhalinyaro ka cabaneysay wada-hadalada Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya iyo maamulka Somaliland ee ka dhacay waddanka Jabuuti. Weriye Bulshaawi waxaa markii markii hore la xiray 16 Juun, balse waa la sii daayay maalintii xigtay isagoo wax eedeyn ah lagu oogin. Waxaa dib loo xiray 22 Juun, waxaana lagu soo oogay dacwad ah in uu duubayay dibadbax sharci darro ah.

Sida ay qaar ka mid ah suxufiyiinta gobolka u sheegeen SJS, weriye Bulshaawi wuu iska diiday in uu duubay dibad-baxaas, kaasoo ka dhacay magaalada Ceerigaabo 15 Juun, balse Garsooraha Maxkamadda Gobolka Sanaag, Sharma’arke Faarax Ismaaciil ayaa amray in suxufiga lagu haayo xabsiga muddo toddoba cisho ah si loo maxkamadeeyo.

“Waanu cambaareyneynaa falka uu askariga booliska ah ku dhaawacay magaalada Muqdisho weriye Cabdifataax Cabduqaadir Shariif maalinimadii Khamiista iyo tallaabada booliska Somaliland kula wareegay xarunta TV-ga Star,” Cabdalle Axmed Mumin, Xoghayaha Guud ee Ururka Suxufiyiinta Soomaaliyeed (SJS) ayaa yiri isagoona ugu baaqay Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya inay si deg deg ah baaritaan ugu sameyso falka lagu dhaawacay weriye Cabdifataax. Sidoo kalena ugu baaqay maamulka Somaliland inay dib uga laabtaan ammarka lagu xiray xarunta TV-ga Star ee magaalada Hargeysa, dacwaddana kala noqdaan, xorriyadiisa dib u siiyaan weriye Jaabir Saciid Ducaale (Bulshaawi).

Radio journalist shot and injured in Mogadishu; TV station seized in Hargeisa & Erigavo court remands journalist

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Radio Danan journalist, Abdifatah Abduqadir Sharif sustained head injuries after a police officer shot and injured him on Thursday 25 June, 2020. | Photo: SJS.
Radio Danan journalist, Abdifatah Abduqadir Sharif sustained head injuries after a police officer shot and injured him on Thursday 25 June, 2020. | Photo: SJS.

MOGADISHU, Somalia 26 June, 2020 – Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) strongly condemns the shooting against Radio Danan journalist, Abdifatah Abduqadir Sharif (Iqbal) by a uniformed Somali police officer at Sey Biyano neighbourhood in Hodan District in Mogadishu on Thursday 25 June, 2020 and the seizure of the headquarters of the independent privately-owned Star TV in Hargeisa by Somaliland police on 25 June, 2020.

Approximately 7:45 pm (local time), the radio journalist was heading home from work on a tuk tuk taxi when a bullet shot from behind resulted the journalist to sustain injury on the back of his head, according to Radio Danan director, Mohamed Barre Fiyore who spoke to SJS.   Colleagues and family members told SJS that Abdifatah was rushed to the hospital where he underwent a minor surgery on Thursday night and was out of danger as of Friday morning.  Abdifatah who spoke to SJS on Friday afternoon said he was waiting for a second surgery before he is discharged.

It was not immediately clear why the police officer shot the journalist and there were no any indications that the officer was arrested.  Officials at the Federal Ministry of Information did not comment on the matter when contacted by SJS but officials at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) said they were trying to identify the officer who shot the journalist. SJS calls for a swift and honest investigation into the shooting incident and bring those responsible to justice.

Separately, armed Somaliland police officers, around 1:30 pm (local time) on Thursday, forcibly entered and seized the headquarters of the independent privately-owned Star TV in Hargeisa while ordering journalists and other staff members to vacate the premises.  According to Star TV board of management team member, Mohamud Hussein Jama, The police did not provide explanations or any court document to justify their actions.

Meanwhile, the Erigavo-based Sanag Regional Court on Thursday morning ordered the Horyaal TV journalist, Jabir Said Duale (Bulshawi) to be remanded in jail for seven days after he was charged with filming Erigavo youth group’s protest against lack of inclusion into the recently concluded Somali Government-Somaliland talks in Djibouti.  Bulshawi was first arrested on 16 June but was released the following day without charges. He was re-arrested on 22 June and was charged with filming an unlawful protest.

According to colleagues, the journalist denied to have recorded the film of the protest, which took place in Erigavo on 15 June but the Sanag Regional Court judge, Sharma’arke Farah Ismail ordered the journalist to be remanded for seven days awaiting trial.

“We condemn the armed attack on Radio Danan journalist, Abdifatah Abduqadir Sharif by a police officer in Mogadishu on Thursday, and the illegal takeover of the Star TV headquarters by the Somaliland police,” Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, the Secretary General of Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) said “We call for the federal authorities of Somalia to open a swift and a thorough investigation into the attack against journalist Abdifatah Abduqadir Sharif as we also call for Somaliland authorities to immediately withdraw police from the Star TV headquarters and allow the independent TV to resume its operations and free the imprisoned journalist Jabir Said Duale from Erigavo prison.”

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