SOLJA

Somaliland Journalist Association (SOLJA) is an independent, non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization based in Hargeisa, established in 2003.

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA held its quarterly board meeting in #Berbera, reviewing and planning activities to strengthen transparency and effectiveness.

Key points:
• Reviewed past quarter’s activities & approved upcoming action plan
• Called on the House of Representatives of #Somaliland to pass the #Media Law
• Urged lifting of media access restrictions in #parliament
• Agreed to reform SOLJA’s electoral system through consultations
• Marked World #Press #Freedom Day and reaffirmed commitment to press freedom.
#SOLJA #PressFreedom #Somaliland

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA today officially handed over governance and management #policies to #SAHAN TV, #Bulsho TV and #Sky #Cable TV as part of phase two of its efforts to strengthen independent #media through policy development.

Each outlet received #Financial Management and Human Resource #Management Policies aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and institutional governance, another step toward professional, independent and well-governed #media in Somaliland.

#SOLJA #MediaDevelopment #Somaliland

[SOLJA @solja_org]

@solja_org bids farewell to @shanti_walde
after her successful mission in Somaliland. Her visit strengthened our media efforts on public awareness and preventing irregular migration. We look forward to impactful results and continued collaboration. #SOLJA #Somaliland #Migration

[Shafi'i Mohamed Ibrahin @ShaficiMibrahim]

@solja_org bids farewell to @shanti_walde after her successful mission in Somaliland. Her visit strengthened our media efforts on public awareness and preventing irregular migration. We look forward to impactful results and continued collaboration.
#SOLJA #Somaliland #Migration

[SOLJA @solja_org]

Media stakeholders held a fruitful meeting with the Ministry of Information and media organizations to discuss the state of journalism in Somaliland, including concerns over journalist detentions and the need for stronger collaboration.

Chairman Shaafici Maxamed Ibraahim emphasized that strengthening legal frameworks is essential to addressing ongoing challenges, while highlighting SOLJA’s role in improving media quality and journalists’ skills.

Leaders from WIJA and FIMO reaffirmed their commitment to advancing media development and defending journalists’ rights.

Minister Barkhad Batuun reiterated the government’s commitment to press freedom and commended the efforts of media organizations.

#SOLJA #Somaliland #Media #PressFreedom

[SOLJA @solja_org]

Journalist Ahmed Zaki remains detained in Hargeisa despite completing the remand ordered by the court, with no new legal detention order issued. This raises serious concerns about unlawful detention.

Meanwhile, journalist Suxufi Ishqi, who had been detained in Borama for 8 days, was released on 13 March 2026.

The Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) calls for the immediate release of Ahmed Zaki and urges authorities to respect freedom of expression and journalists’ rights.

[SOLJA @solja_org]

CONGRATULATIONS TO WOMEN JOURNALISTS
Commemorating International Women’s Day – March 8
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) extends its congratulations and appreciation to women working in the media in Somaliland, who play a vital role in raising public awareness and amplifying the voices of the community.
We recognize the important role women play in development, and SOLJA once again reaffirms its commitment to supporting women in the media sector.
#WomenInMedia #IWD2026 #SOLJA #SomalilandWomen

[SOLJA @solja_org]

Ahmed Zaki Ibrahim, arrested on 22 Feb at Warrame Media, was brought before the Maroodijeex Regional Court today. The court ordered 7 days’ remand pending investigation.

SOLJA has not been officially informed of his exact place of detention on the night of arrest, raising due process concerns.

We call for full respect of legal procedures, protection of his rights, and safeguarding press freedom. #PressFreedom

[SOLJA @solja_org]

Na'ema Elmi Yusuf is one of the #journalists who won the 2nd cohort of the #SOLJA-#Danwadaag storytelling program, recognized for #reporting an impactful story on Disaster Risk Management (#DRM), climate change, and the Gender-Based Violence (#GBV) caused by these challenges.

[SOLJA @solja_org]

Abdiasis Saleban Sulub is one of the #journalists who won the 2nd cohort of the #SOLJA-#Danwadaag storytelling program, recognized for #reporting an impactful story on Disaster Risk Management (#DRM), climate change, and the Gender-Based Violence (#GBV) caused by these challenges.

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA organized an event in #Berbera honoring journalists who produced impactful stories on social issues, #DRM, and #GBV in #Somaliland. Ten winners of SOLJA’s storytelling competition under the #Danwadaag initiative presented reports on climate change and its impact on women’s livelihoods.

#Journalism #ClimateChange #Media #SOLJA

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA warns Somalia-owned media operating in the Republic of #Somaliland against violating Somaliland’s sovereignty or reporting its affairs through biased narratives that serve external agendas. Such propaganda is unacceptable and violates #journalistic ethics. Failure to respect Somaliland’s laws, ethics, and independence will be treated as a breach of #media regulations. All #media operating in Somaliland must respect the #country, its people, laws, and #sovereignty.

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA, alongside other stakeholder #organizations, held a consultative meeting with the House of Representatives’ Social Affairs #Committee on the #Somaliland Press Law, sharing recommendations from independent #media.
The proposals call for an independent #National Media #Council, decriminalization of #media cases, fair complaint mechanisms, and alignment with the #Constitution, international free #expression standards, and local media realities.

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA invites #Somaliland journalists to participate in a storytelling competition with cash prizes.
The contest is open to #journalists working in the regions and focuses on:
#Climate change and its impacts, including natural disasters (DRM).
The impact of natural and man-made disasters on women and their livelihoods (GBV).
10 journalists will win cash awards. Details in the link below.
👉https://t.co/h8nHZ0zBHz

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA’s quarterly board meeting today praised responsible #media coverage, mandated #journalist IDs, reinforced ethical reporting, urged better access to information, called for an end to unlawful arrests, and pushed to fast-track the Press Law—reaffirming press #freedom and national unity.

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA held a key meeting with #Somaliland media to unify public messaging and strengthen the media’s role in promoting sovereignty and international #recognition.
Government officials attended, and media outlets were urged to play an active role.
#SOLJA #Somaliland #Media #Recognition

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA, in partnership with #VIKES, today launched a two-day training in #Hargeisa for local #journalists, focusing on #Climate Change and Conflict #Reporting. The training aims to strengthen journalists’ understanding of how climate #change affects security, livelihoods, and sustainable #development, and to promote informed, balanced reporting that supports #peace and #public awareness.

[SOLJA @solja_org]

#SOLJA congratulates #Somaliland on achieving international recognition after years of perseverance and resilience. This milestone marks a historic step toward global legitimacy and national pride.

#SOLJA #CongratulationsSomaliland #InternationalRecognition #MediaProfessionals

[SOLJA @solja_org]

The #African #Women in #Media Conference (AWiM25) opened today at the African Union HQ in Addis Ababa, bringing together delegates from across #Africa.

#SOLJA is proudly representing #Somaliland, contributing to discussions on women’s role in media, #journalist safety, transparency, and strengthening the skills of women journalists.

#AWiM25 #SOLJA #GenderSafeMedia #AfricanUnion #Somaliland #FreePress

[SOLJA @solja_org]

Today in #Hargeisa, SOLJA hosted the #Somaliland Media Summit and #CawkeAward2025, an annual gathering held every year on November 9th to mark #Somaliland Press Day. The event brought together journalists, #media houses, editors, and experts to reflect on the current state of the media, the challenges facing #journalists, and the opportunities ahead. Throughout the day, participants shared ideas, discussed ethical reporting, and explored ways to strengthen professionalism and independence within Somaliland’s media sector.

One of the highlights of the summit was the presentation of the Cawke Award 2025, named in honor of the late veteran #Journalist Mohamed Hassan #Cawke, a legendary figure who shaped Somali media for decades. This year, the award was presented to six journalists recognized for their outstanding and impactful #storytelling. Three of the winners came from #Maroodi-jeex, two from #Awdal, and one from #Togdheer. The list included two #female journalists and four male journalists, showing growing participation and representation of #women in the media.

The winners received #professional media #equipment — including cameras and a full podcast production kit — to help them continue producing powerful stories. Their work highlighted real #social issues across communities, using compelling reporting and visual storytelling to bring attention to livelihoods, #climate-related challenges, social concerns, and #public #awareness.

The summit ended with a shared message: the media continues to play a crucial role in informing society, promoting #accountability, and encouraging dialogue. Participants emphasized the need to protect media #freedom, support young journalists, and continue initiatives like the Cawke Award, which has become an important source of #motivation and recognition for emerging #talent.

#CawkeAward2025 #Somaliland #SOLJA

[SOLJA @solja_org]

The commemoration of Somaliland Media Day, the Media Summit and the Cawke Award 2025 was officially launched in Hargeisa on 9 November 2025