Somali’s government troops on Tuesday shut down the independent Simba and Banadir FM stations which operate in Mogadishu day after the closure of Shabelle Radio – a move to oppress the free media.

 Mohamed Hassan Shiil, the deputy manager of Simba Radio said

The government soldiers entered the building ordered to close down the radio this morning.

They also ordered the staff he said to go away and never came. 

“In fact I don’t know why the radio was closed down at this time and we were not told any reason and that became big surprise to us,” said Hassan Shiil. “There was no official letter delivered to us of closing down the station,” 

This marks the second time the government shut down the station giving no reason for the closure. 

"No reason has been given to the closure of Simba but they claimed that is an order from senior government officials," the station reported. 

Hours after Radio Banadir, one of the independent privately owned FM station was ordered to close down. 

Ali Muhumad Aden, the deputy manager of Banadir radio said they have also received the order to shut down the broadcaster. 

He said did not know why his station was closed down as there was any wrong doing. 

On Monday, Shabelle Radio was closed down by the government troops.

The closure marks the eighth time Somali authorities shut down Shabelle, according to the network.

It comes days after intense fighting between insurgents and the Ethiopian forces that drove them out of the war-torn capital last year.

“We are very sorry about now day’s action in which the government forces silenced   Shabelle Media,Simba Radio and Banadir Radio"said Dahir Alasow, the Chairman of Associated Somali Journalists (ASOJ) adding that “this is absolutely intolerable action and in contrary to the free press,”.

The independent FM stations based in Mogadishu have been covering the civil crisis in the capital. 

Siciid Cumar Baaffo

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