Somalia - Two Recent Media Outlet Closures

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002892 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KPAO PREL PGOV SO SUBJECT: Somalia - Two Recent Media Outlet Closures -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Islamists allegedly forced the closure of two radio stations in Somalia in mid-December, both reportedly for playing music of which they did not approve. Radio Markabley was closed from December 10 for two days. HornAfrik's Kismayo office was closed on December 13 and remains closed as of December 30, although one contact speculates that the closure may be the result of an internal dispute rather than al-Shabaab's desire to silence the station. Both stations have expressed surprise and disappointment at the closures and we continue to monitor both situations. End summary. -------------- Radio Markabley Closed Over "Love Songs" -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Ahmed Omar Salihi, Director of Markabley Radio and a post contact, told us that on December 10, the "Islamic Courts" who control Bardera town ordered Radio Markabley closed for releasing "a lot of love songs and music which is foreign to the Islamic religion." Salihi reported that the chief security officer and two other officers entered the radio director's office and ordered the director to cease all activities of the Radio. Ahmed A. Farah Ato, an owner of the radio who was present at the time, attempted to defuse the situation by explaining the station's goals of helping the community. Salihi tells us that Ato argued that the station's programs are beneficial to the community, with 90% of the programs aimed at subjects like peace and reconciliation, HIV/AIDS, women's issues, security, and health. Salihi reported that the station was closed for two days, but reopened after determined negotiations and pressure from the Bardera community, who depend on Radio Markabley as a link to the world beyond the town's borders. -------------- HornAfrik Closure: Forced or Staged? -------------- ¶3. (SBU) On December 13, HornAfrik's Kismayo office was closed and the station remains off-air as of December 30, according to HornAfrik Managing Partner Lul Sharmarke. Sharmarke told us that the station's Kismayo office was closed "by Al Shabaab," who claimed that no radio station should "air any kind of music." Sharmarke reported that no one was arrested or otherwise harassed, but that the station has not been allowed to re-open. She said the management of the Kismayo office continues to negotiate with al-Shabaab. ¶4. (SBU) We asked some of our contacts why the HornAfrik closure did not result in the usual outcry from media-related NGO's who monitor freedom of the press in Somalia. One contact said that he has heard this closure may be the result of a dispute between Lul Sharmarke and other stakeholders, rather than a hostile al-Shabaab action. (Note: We are monitoring HornAfrik's management, as this is not the first report we have had regarding a possible internal conflict.) NGOs are reserving comment until such time as they can confirm the circumstances of this closure. -------------- Post Actions -------------- ¶5. (SBU) As is our practice in cases like these, we immediately reached out to the stations involved, both of which are contacts of the Somalia Unit. We have also contacted the TFG's Minister of Information to inquire about the facts of the incidents and to register our concern. The Minister, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and who has recently had very little time to dedicate to the Information Minister portfolio, has not replied to date. (Note: The Minister in question, Ahmed Abdisalam Aden, is one of the three founders of HornAfrik but claims to have given up his share of the station when he assumed his role in the TFG.) RANNEBERGER