PRESS RELEASE: RESIGNATION, IMPRISONMENT AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF AHMED SHEIKH MOHAMED (TALLMAN), FORMER DIRECTOR OF RADIO DALJIR

22 October 2019

Garoowe, Puntland

PRESS RELEASE

RE: RESIGNATION, IMPRISONMENT AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF AHMED SHEIKH MOHAMED (TALLMAN), FORMER DIRECTOR OF RADIO DALJIR

Radio Daljir hereby welcomes the release of Ahmed Sh. Mohamed (Tallman), the former Director of Radio Daljir, from a Garoowe jail cell. However, it should be noted that Tallman was illegally detained to begin with and subsequently released in a dubious plea bargain arrangement.

Ahmed Tallman has been with Radio Daljir for well over ten years, and during that period and subsequently as the Director of Radio Daljir, he was famed for his bravery, hard-work, talent, loyalty, and outstanding personality. Indeed, Ahmed Tallman was one of the key pillars of Radio Daljir, and through his leadership has seen Radio Daljir expand to the largest network of FM stations in Somalia. As such, during his reign, there was never a hint of doubt on any Tallman undertaken investigative report, and never has Daljir broadcasted a doubtful report on the airwaves.

As such, we hereby confirm that Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed (Tallman) on 1 October 2019, unexpectedly resigned from Radio Daljir, and since he hasn’t represented Radio Daljir in any capacity from that date on, his statement of today is solely his own and in no way reflects the position and policy of Radio Daljir. As a matter of fact, Ahmed Tallman’s statement of today is in direct contradiction of the statement he gave to Puntland Police and subsequently shared with Radio Daljir a day before he was illegally imprisoned.

Meanwhile, Radio Daljir is alarmed by the unrelenting oppression on the free media and vehemently condemns the persecution, threats and harassment of Daljir journalists. We expect Media Association of Puntland (MAP) to stand with its members and with the rule of law. We also expect of them to stand up to the violations against Puntland journalist and never be part of a dubious plea bargain.

And finally, let it be known to all that the rule of the law holds the keys to the economic development and prosperity of Puntland State of Somalia. And it is in trusting the rule of law that people of Puntland and foreigners alike will then trust Puntland State.

END