Somalia - "Faroole" Reluctantly Releases Journalist

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 000019

SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E, AF/RSA AND A/S CARSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/07
TAGS: PREL PGOV SO KDEM PHUM
SUBJECT: Somalia - "Faroole" Reluctantly Releases Journalist

REF: NAIROBI 17

CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Patterson, Counselor for Somalia Affairs, State
Department, Somalia Unit; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)


1. (C) Summary: Puntland President "Faroole," as a result of
pressure by the Embassy and by Puntland and clan leaders, on
January 5 released VOA reporter Mohammed Isaq. (Note: Isaq was
detained on December 21. End note.) Our contacts tell us that
"Faroole" reluctantly released Isaq after being pressured by
members of the Puntland administration and clan leaders. Isaq,
during a January 6 telecon, told the Somalia Unit he was threatened
while in prison and now feared for his life. Contacts are hearing
rumors of an imminent Puntland cabinet reshuffle aimed at removing
those attempting to rein in "Faroole." On January 6 the Somalia
Unit urged VOA to consider options to protect Isaq. All parties
are working to assess the level of danger Isaq might face. We are
encouraging respected and credible members of the Puntland
administration and Puntland civil society to continue their efforts
to contain "Faroole's" destructive behavior. End summary.




2. (C) On January 5, Puntland Administration President
"Faroole" reluctantly released VOA journalist Mohammed Isaq, after
days of pressure by the Embassy was supplemented by pressure from
members of the Puntland administration and clan leaders. (Note:
Key Puntland Ministers, including the Ministers of Gender,
Security, Health and the Deputy Minister of Information, have
participated in recent meetings focused on how to rein in
"Faroole's" destructive behavior (reftel) End note.)




3. (C) In a January 6 telecon, Isaq told the Somalia Unit
that he had been threatened while in prison and now feared for his
life. Isaq said that while in prison he was told he should leave
Puntland. Isaq told us that his brother had instructed him to
travel from Bossaso to Garowe in order to meet with members of his
clan, and to talk to no one along the way. Isaq said he did not
feel safe in any part of Puntland. (Note: Isaq was shot and
wounded by Puntland security officials on November 18 at a vehicle
checkpoint in Puntland. We do not know if the shooting was related
to unhappiness his reporting has caused in "Faroole's" inner
circle. End note.)




4. (C) Against the backdrop of processes underway inside the
Puntland administration and with the clans to mitigate "Faroole's"
influence (reftel),contacts tell us they are hearing rumors of an
imminent Puntland cabinet reshuffle. Our contacts think the
reshuffle, if it occurs, will be aimed at removing key figures
attempting to rein in "Faroole".




5. (C) Comment: On January 6 we spoke to VOA and urged them
to consider options to protect Isaq. In addition, we are
encouraging respected and credible members of the Puntland
Administration and of Puntland civil society to continue their
efforts to contain "Faroole's" destructive behavior. While we
welcome Isaq's release, the state of freedom of the press in
Puntland continues to deteriorate. We will remain engaged with
Puntland leadership on the subject of press freedom.
RANNEBERGER