Hargeysa, Feb 28, (SOMINA)-The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) today denounces the arrest of leading journalist Mohamed Abdi Guled, publicly known Urad, in Hargeisa by Somaliland police forces.

Mohamed Abdi Guled, who is Editor-in-chief of Somaliland’s privately owned weekly newspaper YOOL, was arrested Thursday 26 February and is being detained at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

According to journalists in Hargeisa, Mohamed Abdi was arrested due to an
article published on the newspaper on 24 February which was about secret
killings of Somaliland leaders. The article states that killings are planned
for some members of Somaliland parliament, leaders of opposition parties and traditional elders.

“The arrest of Mohamed Abdi Guled is a disturbing climate of threats for
journalists in Somaliland. We denounce in the strongest terms possible this
illegitimate arrest of Mohamed Abdi and demand Somaliland authorities to
release him immediately and conditionally,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ
Secretary General.

“The media law in Somaliland blocks authorities to arrest a journalist without court order; therefore this arrest is against the law and authorities must respect laws even times’ of political crisis”.

Several journalists were targeted to verbal attacks, defamation and brief
detention as they were accused by different political parties of biased
reporting. “In order the elections to be free and fair, authorities and political parties must stop all sorts of interferences in the media” Omar
Faruk declared.

Journalists in Hargeisa explained that the arrest of Mohamed Abdi on Thursday,
which is weekend in Somalia, was meant to intimidate the media by keeping him in Jail without looking at his case in the weekend days of Thursday and Friday.

Reporting of the electoral campaign by the public media has not been fair and balanced. Radio Hargeisa, which is controlled by the ruling party, UDUB, is seen as strongly favouring the ruling party.

NUSOJ calls on three political parties namely UDUB, KULMIYE and UCID as well as their presidential candidates not to use threats and violence against
journalists and media houses in the run-up of elections. “Violence against
media is an indication of larger brutalities to happen,” Omar Faruk added.

Several journalists were targeted to verbal attacks, defamation and brief
detention as they were accused by different political parties of biased
reporting. “In order the elections to be free and fair, authorities and political