By Aweys Osman Yusuf
Shabelle Media Network
Mogadishu June 6, 2007 — Shabelle Media Network has received a government decree from the prime minister’s office, ordering the closure of the station.
The Somali government has issued the decree to close down three main FM stations in the capital. The decree orders Shabelle Media Network, Horn Afrik and IQK (The holy Quran Media) to shut down.
The transitional government accused the three stations of backing what it called terrorists and their actions.
The decree said the stations were creating hostilities and supporting terrorism.
“They have breached the rules of the free media, confused the Somali population and opposed the existence of the Somalia government,” the decree said.
These three radios have been ordered to shut down twice in the past as the Somali government accused them of exaggerating the government and Ethiopian military operations in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.
Horn Afrik and IQK went off air soon after they received the decree.
Shabelle Media Network has been on air for awhile before the decree arrived, but it was shut down soon after it arrived.
Radio Warsan in Baidoa was closed two days ago after the government administration in the farming town issued the decree to shut the FM down.
Abdi Qeybded, the head of the Somali national police force, said he hopes that the stations would abide by the government orders.
“They can contact government officials assigned for this, but they have been accused off all articles in the decree,” he said.
Micheal ranneberger, the US ambassador to Kenya, said the US government was concerned about the closure of the three radio stations in the capital.
“The freedom of the media is absolutely essential in Somalia and everywhere else in the world and it is important that the Somali media be allowed to inform the Somali people the developments in an objective way,” he said.
Micheal ranneberger, the US ambassador to Kenya
“We are very concerned about the closure of these radio stations and we are pursuing that,” he added.
The US ambassador was interviewed by a local radio in Mogadishu.
Shabelle Media Network Somalia
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