Mogadishu (SD) The disputed seventh conference of the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) has today concluded in Hargeisa, electing its leadership after two days of meetings.

The conference was reportedly attended by delegates from media communities in the country, elected fifteen members who will be the Executive Committee of SOLJA, the 15 members then elected SOLJA chairman, vice-chairman and secretary-general for the next three years.

Zakeriye Ahmed Muhumed was elected chairman, Abdillahi Hussein Darwish was elected deputy chairman and Mohamed Muse Guraase was elected secretary of SOLJA.

Former SOLJA chairman Mohamud Abdi Jama (Huto) who spoke at the end of the conference congratulated the new SOLJA Executive Committee as well as the three elected officials, Vice Chairman and Secretary of SOLJA.

Somaliland’s most prominent journalists have boycotted the conference and its outcome and announced their plan to create an independent journalist focused association.