HEADLINES:

Somalia:"flagrant violation of free expression" after sentencing of an independent journalist in Somaliland

0
Saturday April 08, 2017 - 11:29:34 in Articles by Super Admin
  • Visits: 5632
  • (Rating 5.0/5 Stars) Total Votes: 1
  • 2 0
  • Share via Social Media

    Somalia:"flagrant violation of free expression" after sentencing of an independent journalist in Somaliland

    The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has strongly condemned a court verdict against independent journalist Abdimalik Muse Oldon in Somaliland's capital Hargeisa who was today sentenced to two (2) years of prison.

    Share on Twitter Share on facebook Share on Digg Share on Stumbleupon Share on Delicious Share on Google Plus

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has strongly condemned a court verdict against independent journalist Abdimalik Muse Oldon in Somaliland's capital Hargeisa who was today sentenced to two (2) years of prison.


Coldoon

Abdilmalik Musse Oldo

Arrested on 15 February upon arrival at Hargeisa Airport, Abdilmalik Musse Oldon was formally charged under Somalia’s old penal code of 1960, particularly under Article 212 on "ant-national activity of a citizen abroad”, article 328 on "publication or circulation of false, exaggerated or tendentious news capable of disturbing public order” and Article 220 on "offending the honour or prestige of the head of state”.

"This is a brutal, outrageous decision, which is flagrant violation of free expression. We condemn this harsh and unacceptable sentence which takes media repression in Somaliland to record levels. We shall support our colleagues in Somaliland and Abdilmalik Musse Oldon in their efforts to have this verdict overturned," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

Hargeisa’s Marodi Jeeh Regional Court heard on 4-5 April 2017 the arguments between prosecutor and attorneys defending Oldon. The main accusations leveled against Oldon included comments he allegedly made on the social media against Somaliland president and Oldon’s support to President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo. The sole evidence that Somaliland prosecutor presented to the court is a videotape in which Oldon sympathetically talks about President Farmaajo, without talking about Somaliland.

Chairman of Marodi Jeeh Regional Court, judge Ahmed Dalmar Ismail, this morning found Oldon guilty of breaching articles 212 and 328 of penal code, and discharged government’s allegation that the journalist had broken article 220. Judge Ismail sentenced Oldon to two years of jail.

NUSOJ today emphasized, once again, the flagrant abuse of Somalia’s old, vaguely worded, draconian penal code to silence journalists and curtail freedom of expression of citizens by political leaders. So far 19 journalists were charged under this penal code in the past 3 years.

"Clearly we see criminalization of freedom of expression by using this penal code and manipulating the justice system. This is both dangerous and absurd” added Osman.

Share on Social Media

Somali Journalists Launch 'Disinformation Lab' to Combat Spread of Fake News.

Waagacusub.net - The Federation of Somali Journalists has launched a campaign to combat the spread of false information, fake news, hate speech and propaganda. The federation says Somalia is already seeing a huge spike in social media misinformation campaigns ahead of elections expected before the end of July. Full Article

 

Journalists barred from covering Somali leaders' meeting

The Associated Somali Journalists is deeply concerned that journalists were today barred from covering the meeting of the leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States (FMSs) as well as the Governor and Mayor of Mogadishu. Full Article

 

ASOJ strongly condemns the wounding of a journalist & arresting another.

ASOJ.ORG - Associated Somali Journalists (ASOJ) is deeply concerned about the escalating violence against Somali journalists in the Gedo region, particularly in Beled Hawo district on the Somali-Kenyan border where a journalist was injured by security forces and another was arbitrarily imprisoned by the local authority. Full Article

 

COVID-19 guidance for journalists and media houses in Somalia

ASOJ.ORG - Associated Somali Journalists has today published New guidance (advices) setting out how journalists and media houses in Somalia can meet their media duties as they navigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Full Article

 

Somaliland:Government Blocks Entry of Alternative Fibre Optic Cable

Waagacusub.com - The government of Somaliland denied that it had any advance information of a submarine fibre optic internet cable entering the country from Berbera. Full Article

 

After embrace of war criminals, time to cut off Somalia

The annual U.N. General Assembly is an orgy of symbolism. Who meets whom on the sidelines? Who tried but failed to secure a meeting with the U.S. president? Who walks out of whose speech? Whom do security officers intercept when they try to exceed the permissions of their visa? Full Article

 

Leadership Crisis Caused Freeze of Statebuilding Efforts in Somalia

Waagacusub.net - Somalia is mired in out of control political and security situation created by broken electoral promises, egregious abuses, and foreign policy blunders committed by the federal government of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. The Gulf crisis, the moratorium of the Federal Member States (FMS), and the surrender to the manipulations of divide and rule of Ethiopia have elevated public pessimism and stoked intense acrimony between federal and state leaders, which have exacerbated Somalia's vulnerability and relapse into chaos. Federal Government could soon be isolated for directionless. Full Article

 

Puntland president sacks officials after deadly attack on presidential guard

Puntland president sacks officials after deadly attack on presidential guard Full Article

 

Somali journalist injured in Galkacyo town

Somali journalist injured in Galkacyo town Full Article

 

Hamarweyne DC Arrested After Audio Criticising Corruption In Govt Goes Viral

Hamarweyne DC Arrested After Audio Criticising Corruption In Govt Goes Viral Full Article

 


Leave a comment

  Tip

  Tip

  Tip

  Tip

  Tip


Somalia:War to Defeat Al Shabab Militarily

President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government.

Somalia:$17 million external support has not been channeled through the country's single treasury account

Waagacusub.net -Auditor General Mohamed Ali alias Afgoi has exposed missing millions of dollars from key departments within the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS], in what could raise questions about government expenditures. In his report, Afgoi said 25 entities and three embassies have been audited. Unsupported expenditure amounts to $9M; contracts worth $31M not registered with auditor general's office, the existence of unauthorized bank accounts outside the Treasury Single Account.

Al-qaida Share ,IBS bank Somalia launches Visa Card Payment

Waagacusub.net - IBS Bank Somalia, which is believed to have the largest amount of money, Al-Qaeda Finance Secretary Fazul Abdallah from Comoros has started issuing Visa Card Payments for the first time. Al-Shabaab's finance secretary confirmed that Mohamed Ali Warsame had $ 157 million in cash, according to Khalif Ereg, who was later bribed with $ 2 million.

UGANDA: New Cabinet Members and Ministers of State

I hereby inform the country that By virtue of the Authority given to the President of Uganda by Articles: 108(2), 108A(1), 113(1) and 114(1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, I hereby appoint H.E. the Vice President, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers and other Ministers as indicated below:

Journalists barred from covering Somali leaders' meeting

The Associated Somali Journalists is deeply concerned that journalists were today barred from covering the meeting of the leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States (FMSs) as well as the Governor and Mayor of Mogadishu.

Somalia's leader mourns death of Namibia president

Waagacusub.net - Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday mourned the death of Namibia President Hage G. Geingob and sent condolences to the government of the African country. Full Article

 

Somalia's ex-president warns of risk of 'political crisis' over plans to overhaul constitution

Waagacusub.net - Somalia's former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Monday warned of the risk of political crisis over plans by the incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to overhaul the constitution. Full Article

 

Egyptian President says will protect Somalia against anz threat

Waagacusub.net - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said his country will protect Somalia against any threat in what can be described as an indirect response to recent Ethiopia's move to access the seaport of Somaliland. Full Article

 

Egypt Condemns Suicide Bomber Attack in Somalia

Egypt on Tuesday condemned a suicide bomber attack in Somalia that killed at least 20 soldiers. The attack took place at a training camp in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Monday. The al-Shabab terrorist group claimed responsibility. Full Article

 

Somalia:War to Defeat Al Shabab Militarily

President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government. Full Article

 

Hormuud telecom and Al-Shabaab's Strategy of Destroying Mobile Communication Masts

Hormuud's Assault on African Peacekeepers Figure 14: African Peace Keepers Hormuud launched a scorching public campaign against the Kenyan military forces in AMISOM in late August 2019. Full Article

 

Former Intel official stripped from NISA membership

Former Intel official stripped from NISA membership Full Article

 

PM KHEYRE USELESS AND COSTY OVERSEAS TRIPS.

PM KHEYRE USELESS AND COSTY OVERSEAS TRIPS. Full Article

 

Abiy says 'New Year' will be celebrated in Eritrea, Ethiopian Airlines to resume flights

Abiy says 'New Year' will be celebrated in Eritrea, Ethiopian Airlines to resume flights Full Article

 

Massive rise in Islamist militant attacks in Africa

Massive rise in Islamist militant attacks in Africa Full Article