A radio journalist in Somaliland is still in jail after four days

Berbera journalist still in Somaliland jail 16 Aug 16, 2009 - 7:43:26 PM

BERBERA- SAMOTALIS-  A radio journalist in  Somaliland is still in jail after four days

Mr. Yasin Jama Ali, a reporter for the independent Radio Horyaal, was arrested by Somaliland police last Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden port city of Berbera.

He has not been brought to court and formally charged with a crime, but Somaliland authorities consider Radio Horyaal to be an illegal radio station since local laws prohibit independently owned radio stations in Somaliland.

Recently, Radio Horyaal's director and another reporter were arrested in the Somaliland capital Hargeisa but later released.

Somaliland is preparing for presidential elections on September 27, which incumbent President Dahir Riyale says will be held on time without the voter-registration data.

There are concerns that Somaliland's opposition parties, Kulmiye and UCID, might boycott the presidential election in a dispute with the election commission and the ruling UDUB party. Somaliland's political atmosphere is tense after the Electoral Commission with President desire expelled Interpeace Organisation that was co-ordinating Presidential election with collaporation of International community represented by USA and European Union.