CPJ calls for immediate release of two Somaliland journalists

Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - The global press freedom watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Friday called for the immediate release of two detained journalists in Somaliland, PANA reports from here.

According to CPJ, Ahmed Ali Farah, a reporter for Royal TV, in the northwest town of Las Anod, and Abdisaman Isse, a reporter for Universal TV, have both been arrested and "detained without charge".

Farah was reportedly arrested on the orders of Governor Mohamed Mohamud on 31 March and detained at Central Las Anod Prison. Three days later, Isse was also arrested while visiting Farah in prison.

No specific reason was given for the detention of the two journalists and Somaliland law forbids detainees from being held without charge for more than 48 hours.

"Authorities are holding Ahmed Ali Farah and Abdisaman Isse without explanation, in violation of the law, and in an apparent reprisal for political coverage deemed unfavourable," said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. "The journalists should be released immediately."

Meanwhile, CPJ further noted that control of the Sool region has been in dispute between the semi-autonomous regions of Somaliland and Puntland for two decades.

That Somaliland authorities have repeatedly detained journalists this year in "what appears to be an attempt to silence any reporting of instability in the region".
-0- PANA MLJ/VAO 7April2012