HARGEISA (SD) – Somaliland authorities have lifted a suspension on a UK based Somali television station which was accused of neglect to air the speech of president Muse Bihi of Somaliland.

University Somali TV which was suspended last July has been off air in Somaliland. It accused of broadcasting coverage of independence celebrations in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, instead of an address by Somaliland’s president.

In a statement on Saturday, Somaliland Information Ministry said the station could resume its operations in Somaliland with immediate effect.

“The suspension on Universal TV has now been lifted with effect from January 10 and can now be free to resume operations,” said Abdinasir Cumar Jama’, Somaliland deputy information minister.

Previously, several media watchdogs have accused Somaliland authorities of suppressing the media.

Somaliland, a former British directorate had declared to have seceded from the rest of Somalia in 1990s.

Though it did not succeed to secure full international recognition, yet Somaliland won to convince number of countries in the region including Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya to establish relations with Hargeisa.

Ethiopia has a consulate in Somaliland while Kenya announced opening of its consulate last month.