As the former Somaliland deputy Foreign Minister, Ahmed Aden Ismail (Keyse) of UDUB and along with the former Somaliland representative in Ireland, Abdifatah Saeed Ahmed, currently UCID Foreign Affairs spokesperson, we jointly issue this press release on November 14th, 2011 in London, to condemn the treatment of the independent press in Somaliland under the administration of President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud, "Siilaanyo".

We jointly condemn the arbitrary treatment of journalist from the independent press in Somaliland by this current government, which has included detention without charges, physical assault and scandalous lies of links to terrorism.

All the above mentioned conduct against the journalist from the independent press in Somaliland are not only in violation of basic human rights in the civilised world, but they also go against the principals of the Somaliland constitution which must be upheld by all.

When the administration of President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud "Siilaanyo" took over the governance of Somaliland on 27th of July, 2010, it began a secret programme to bring under its control and influence, by offering patronage to some members of the press, and intimidating and obstructing to others.

During the presidential campaign of 2010, some members of the media supporting the KULMIYE party of President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud, "Siilaanyo", were rewarded with position within the new government after serving their purpose.

Conversely, the majority of the free press which had remained impartial and neutral, were considered hostile and subjected to a campaign of intimidation and obstruction.

Eventually, when the administration of President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud, "Siilaanyo" realised that they had severely damaged Somaliland's cause through some spectacularly incompetent actions, including but not limited to the goodwill aid to draught stricken Somalia, the conduct of several ministers on visits overseas whilst accompanying the president, and internal miss-management of the situation in the eastern part of Somaliland, the administration resorted to treating the free press in Somaliland as a scapegoat for its own incompetence.

Unable to mask the odour of injustice, graft, incompetence and corruption within theadministration, the administration of President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud, "Siilaanyo" resorted to threats, arbitrary detention and fabrication of ludicrous allegation against the impartial and free press in Somaliland.

A prime example of this kind of tactic recently came into light after it was disclosed by Qarannews.com, that the Somaliland Foreign Minister, Dr.Abdillahi Mohamed Omar, the nation's premier international spokesperson, in an immature and un-statesman like behaviour, amateurishly asked a British diplomat, Mr. Chris Allan, based in Addis Ababa to have the British intelligence investigate Qarannews.com, its staff and senior editor, Mohamed Jama, for alleged links to terrorism!.

We would like to offer the Somaliland Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdillahi Mohamed Omar some advice gained from our experience in Foreign affairs, "If you don't agree with press articles, if you feel that you have been miss-represented, feel free to use the press in the country to state your own case, but most importantly, feel free to use the law and code in Somaliland. Don't need appeal to outside powers, no matter how friendly, like a child appealing to an adult".

We request that President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud's, administration refrain from dealing with the independent media in Somaliland with actions that are illegal, illogical and irrational in civilised democracies across the globe, including Somaliland.

We also request that the administration use the channels open to our friends, including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for serious national interests not for personal allegations and accusations.

Source: Qarannews.com