WASHINGTON (SD) – One of the Senators behind the effort to establish a relationship between Somaliland and the United States criticized the government’s behavior towards the independent press.

Senator Jim Risch a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the highest Republican member of the Committee said that it is unacceptable to suppress the independent press.

The Senator tweeted his disappointment following Somaliland’s recent announced ban of the BBC in their territories.

The Powerful U.S. Senator’s rebuke should serve as a wake up call for the young democracy quickly detreating to dictatorship.

Somaliland Ban is the latest attack on freedom of expression and press freedoms, a constitutional right in the self declared independent enclave.