UCID cries out over pressmen intimidation

Hargeisa, Aug 04 (Somaliland.com):- Somaliland’s opposition party Ucid expressed grave concern over the increase of intimidation and suppression of the press in the country.

The communication secretary of UCID party, Yusuf Kayse, said the detention, intimidation, and suppression of journalists have worryingly increased during the current administration. He said that would tarnish Somaliland’s reputation.

It is true that the detention of journalists and the closure of news outlets have increased. We see that as suppression, intimidation, and violation of the freedom of the press. Only four days ago, I said that the suppression of media is not good for the reputation of Somaliland, but the government has gone ahead to double the detention of journalists.

The information secretary of Ucid party attributed the crackdown on reporters to the numerous flaws within the current administration and urged the government to tolerate critical voices.

Mr Keyse’s remarks follow the detention of five journalists in Hargeisa in the last week of July. Four of them have since been released, with only Mohamed Yusuf Bakayle remaining in detention.