Police forces at the Xamarweyne district station in Mogadishu recently arrested the Director General of the Shabelle Media Network, Abuukar Sheikh Mohamud Abuukar Iskaay, while a few hours earlier, the Deputy Director of the Shabelle Media Network, Mohamud Abdinasir Soofeysane, was arrested at the same Xamarweyne station.
The Shabelle Media Authority confirmed that the Director and his deputy were summoned to the Xamarweyne district station at different times and were then taken into custody by police forces.
“The Shabelle Media Authority strongly condemns the arrest of the Director and his deputy, demanding their unconditional release,” said a statement from the Shabelle Media Authority.
On the other hand, the National Vision Party led by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed strongly condemned the arrest of the Deputy Director of Shabelle Media, Mohamud Abdinasir Soofeysane.
“This action shows that the government and the Banadir Regional Police have turned a deaf ear to calls to stop suppressing free media.” “The National Goal Party also regrets that the arrest of the journalist Soofeysane coincides with the fact that two days ago, the Banadir Regional Police briefly detained journalist Faysal Omar of the international news agency Reuters,” the statement from the National Goal Party said.
The National Goal Party called on the leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia to immediately release journalist Mahmoud Abdinasir Soofeysane and the chairman of the People’s Political Party, Abdirahman Suleiman Jama.
“The National Vision Party strongly warns against the continuation of such attacks against the free press and political dissent. The party tells the senior leadership of the Federal Government that the country cannot be governed through repression, intimidation, threats and intimidation. This is a clear example and does not make any difference that this country is not prepared for free elections and that it is not possible to remain in power by force,” the statement from the National Vision Party said.
There is no news yet from the Somali Police regarding the arrest of the Director General of Shabelle Media and his deputy who are being held at Xamarweyne Station.
