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Somaliland detains TV chief for covering controversial Ethiopia deal

Mohamed Abdi Ilig, the CEO of MM-TV, who was detained by Somaliland authorities in Hargeysa.

By Gelle Dheere | Sunday, January 7, 2024

The CEO, Mohamed Abdi Ilig, and two journalists, Ilyaas Abdinasir and Mohamed Abdi Abdullahi 'Andar,' were arrested during the operation.

Soldiers from the Somaliland administration carried out a raid last night on Maan Media TV (MM-TV), one of the prominent independent TV stations in Hargeysa.

The CEO, Mohamed Abdi Ilig, and two journalists, Ilyaas Abdinasir and Mohamed Abdi Abdullahi 'Andar,' were arrested during the operation.

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The journalists on duty were also subjected to assault, and equipment belonging to the TV channel was both damaged and confiscated, according to a statement by the media group.

Furthermore, they interrupted a live discussion on the channel regarding the pros and cons of Somaliland's recent decision to grant access to the sea and a naval base to Ethiopia in exchange for official recognition.

In response to these actions, the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) released a statement in Hargesya today, strongly condemning the detention of the journalists and urging the authorities to release them immediately.