The Somaliland press community has stated that the Ministry of Information lacks the legal authority to block a conference that journalists are planning to hold in Borama, the capital of the Awdal region—an event they described as a forum to deliberate on their future and the state of the media.
The press community affirmed that preparations for the conference are proceeding as planned and that the Ministry of Information’s statement will not alter the arrangements for the event.
“The conference is proceeding as intended; the organizing committee is continuing its work, and the event will be held in Borama, the capital of the Awdal region. The conference will take place,” they said.
They further asserted that the Ministry of Information has no legal authority to halt a meeting organized by the press community, noting that a review of Somaliland’s laws and Constitution revealed no provision granting the Ministry the power to block the conference.
“The Ministry of Information has no right to stop a consultative conference held by the press. The Ministry is not being consulted on this matter because, upon reviewing the laws and the Constitution, we found no basis for the Ministry’s involvement,” they stated. This conference is set to open in the city of Borama, with preparations being led by a committee specifically tasked with organizing the event. The Somaliland press community stated that the conference aims to allow journalists to deliberate on the state of the media, the challenges facing the sector, and the future direction of the profession.
This development follows a statement by the Director of the Somaliland Ministry of Information, Abdisalan Ilkacase, asserting that the conference lacks the Ministry’s authorization and is not an event sanctioned by the Ministry.
However, the press community insists that the conference will proceed, noting that preparations are continuing and that there is no legal basis granting the Ministry of Information the authority to halt it.
