The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has today condemned the detention of a television journalist in Las Anod town of Sool region by Somaliland’s security forces as a ploy to intimidate the local journalists.
On Sunday, 27 May 218, Somaliland police arrested journalist Abdirahman Keyse Tungub, a Bulsho TV reporter in the town of Las Anod. The police informed local journalists that Sool Governor Abdi Khayre Dirir ordered the arrest of the journalist.
The journalist is currently detained at the Police Station in Las Anod. The reason for his arrest was that he had prepared a report on the public’s views of the Tukaraq war between Somaliland and Puntland, and the report was aired by Bulsho TV. The governor of Sool Region has accused the journalists of Las Anod for disseminating reports about “contradictory statements” made by Somaliland officials.
“We call for Abdirahman Keyse Tungub to be released immediately and for the journalists to be allowed to report freely and safely on the matters affecting the Sool region including the conflict in Tukaraq,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. “We condemn the harassment, arbitrary detention and attacks on journalists in Sool region who are doing their jobs”.
The arrest of Abdirahman Keyse Tungub becomes the second journalist arrested in a month in Las Anod. Journalist Adam Jama Oogle (Habeb) was arrested at his home on 14 May 2018 and released without any charges on 23 May.
NUSOJ believes the arrest of journalists by Somaliland authorities aims to send a chilling message to local journalists of the consequences they face in reporting about the conflict between Puntland and Somaliland.
