Statement from the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

The National Union of Somali Journalists, NUSOJ, welcomed today the release of senior editor Professor Khalid Mohamed Barre of Kaaha Bari weekly newspaper.

The senior editor, who was arrested on 17 September, was released on 18 September 2005 at 18:30 local time following a decree issued by Puntland President Gen. Adde Muse, which gave the editor a presidential pardon.

The President’s decision came out when NUSOJ officials in Puntland met with Puntland Vice President Hassan Dahir Afqura’, and discussed with him the detention of Professor Khalif. The Vice President acknowledged the problems raised by NUSOJ officials, and arranged a tripartite meeting between Puntland President, NUSOJ officials and the members of Professor Khalif’s family.

At 15:00hrs, family members and NUSOJ officials met with president Adde Muse at his presidential headquarters in Bossasso, and after discussions, Gen Adde issued a presidential decree which returned professor Khalif’s liberty after more than 25 hours of detention at the centre of operations of Puntland Intelligence Service (PIS).

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Press Freedom Monitoring
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This information is disseminated by the NUSOJ Information and Human Rights Office as part of the office’s roles of monitoring violations of freedom of press in Somalia.

CONTACT: Omar Faruk Osman (the Secretary General), Mohamed Ibrahim Isak (the Information and Human Rights Officer) and Ali Moallim Isak (the organizing secretary); Telefax: +252-1-859944.