Swedish Ambassador Meets with Haatuf Media Network Chairman

From: Somalilandtimes

The Swedish ambassador to Somalia, Mikael Lindvall, who is based in Kenya and whose writ also covers Somaliland, met with the publisher of Haatuf Media Network, Yusuf Abdi Gaboobe, the Somali language newspaper Geeska reported. Asked by the media about the substance of their conversation, Mr Gabobe said Sweden is one of the countries that supports the democratic process in Somaliland and we discussed the government’s takeover of Haatuf Media Network and the difficulties facing the independent press in Somaliland. 

Mr Gabobe added that he told the ambassador the reason for Haatuf’s closure without due process was because it wrote about the corruption in the government and that the government is trying to silence the independent media as evidenced by its closure of two newspapers within a few months. In response to a question about the ambassador’s reaction, Mr Gabobe said the ambassador seemed to be well-informed and was tasked by his government to find out what was going on with regard to Somaliland’s media. 

Ambassador Mikael Lindvall told Yusuf Abdi Gabobe that the suppression of the free press was unacceptable and his government will relay its thoughts on this subject to Somaliland’s government. Yusuf Abdi Gabobe also told Geeska newspaper that several international organizations and countries have contacted him and expressed their displeasure with the suspension of Haatuf and the Somaliland Times.