Hiiraan Online
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Garowe, Somalia (HOL) - Puntland President, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has pardoned Radio Daljir allowing it to get back on air weeks after it was shut down by the Puntland Minister of Information, Mohamud Hassan Socade.
Radio Daljir and all its sister stations were closed on June 23rd after they interviewed a rebel leader on live radio.
Puntland authorities termed airing of the interview as news that is damaging to the unity of the people of Puntland.
In a communication sent to newsrooms, the government of the semi-autonomous Puntland State of Somalia has withdrawn its orders to have the station off air and allowed them to continue with their programming in different parts of Puntland and neighboring regions.
The Ministry of Information, Communication, Post, Culture & Heritage sent the letter to the office of the Attorney General, the Puntland Police Commander and the State House of Puntland notifying them that the radio was pardoned by the President, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gas.
In the past few days, several organizations, activists and a former minister have joined the public chorus of concern and urged government officials to reverse their decicion.