HARGEISA (SD) -The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned the attacks on the freedom of the press in Somaliland after the security forces stormed the MM Somali TV station on the 6th of January. The IFJ demanded the immediate release of the jailed journalist, Mohamed Abdi Sheikh, the owner of MM Somali TV, who is still in prison and will face a military court.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger strongly condemned the arrest as a direct attack on journalism and democracy, adding that he was particularly concerned about the alleged torture and privacy violations, he called for an end to the repression of the free press.

Somaliland’s Minister of Information Ali Hassan Mohamed, before the attack, warned journalists and media organisations not to talk about the agreement.

The attack by Somaliland security forces on MM Somali TV came during a televised discussion focused on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The MoU has caused a diplomatic crisis in the Horn of Africa, and it has faced widespread criticism from the public.