Hargeisa, June 12 2013 (SDN) –Somaliland’s government has been criticized for its suppression of the media, after leading newspaper HUBAAL and its English sister publication were shut down Tuesday by the police. Somaliland’s WADDANI opposition party on today expressed their concerns over the closures. Opposition WADDANI Party information secretary Mohamed Hassan Dirir said today during a press conference that WADDANI party is deeply concerned over government’s action to close the offices of Hubaal Media Network offices while Hubaal Media Network officials waiting from the government the results of April attack on Hubaal offices by masked policemen that injured its manager. In April two masked policemen attacked the headquarters of the independent media network known as Hubaal Media Network at around 11:20 pm injuring manager Mohamed Ahmed Jama, known as Aloley. Diri also said that the government is trying to muzzle the free press while the free press was one of the factors that led president Silanyo to his victory in 2010 presidential elections after the free press supported his campaign. The government has not yet disclosed the reasons behind the closure of the leading newspaper HUBAAL and its English sister publication THE INDEPENDENT, but rumors had it that the government was angered after the newspaper published an article written by international strategic analyst and author Gregory R. Copley alleging powerful government minister of having links with Al-Qaeda linked Al shabab militants therefore hampering Somaliland’s quest for international recognition. The newspaper published the article in Somali in its Monday (June 10) edition and in English in Tuesday’s edition of the INDEPENDENT (weekly sister publication of Hubaal newspaper).
To read the full article in yesterday’s edition of the INDEPENDENT click here.
SDN Hargeisa
