South Sudan Government Gives Certificate of Appreciation to Somaliland Reporters

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

South Sudan Government Gives Certificate of Appreciation to Somaliland Reporters

JUBA — The government of South Sudan offered a certificate of appreciation on February 28 to Somaliland journalist in Juba.

 

Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, South Sudan’s Minister of Information awarded Mohamed Rashid Mohamoud of Saxafi media, a local newspaper based in Hargeisa. The certificate was presented in recognition for Somaliland journalists’ Sudan South referendum vote coverage in January.

 

 

Mohamed accepts certificate from Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin

“Thank you for your efforts to create awareness,” Dr Benjamin told him.

 

At least a dozen of journalists and reporters from Somaliland led by the Presidential spokesman, Mr. Abdullahi Mohamed Dahir, visited South Sudan before their independence vote from Khartoum.

 

The people of South Sudan overwhelmingly voted to split from the north after decades of civil war. South Sudan will officially become Africa’s 54th state and the world’s newest nation on 9th of July.

 

When the minister was asked if he would visit Hargeisa, he told Mr. Mohamoud, he would do so if he gets an invitation from the government of Somaliland. He added, Somaliland and South Sudan were not getting to know each others, each has been aware of the other’s struggle for justice for decades.

 

 

African journalism: Saxafi and Juba Post form partnership

Like South Sudan, after forming union with Somalia in 1960, Somaliland fought a bloody war against Somalia for almost two decades. At least 50, 000 Somalilanders were killed. Some of those responsible for the atrrocities are today hiding in Western countries including Mohamed Ali Samantar, Somalia’s former defence minister and prime minister. He is expected to face a U.S. District Court in Alexandria after a judge denied him legal immunity (see U.S. State Department: Samatar Not Entitle To Immunity).

 

 

While in Juba, Mr. Mohamoud representing his Saxafi newspaper signed an agreement with South Sudan’s leading news media, The Juba Post. The two agreed to partnership on common areas and exchange information and news.

 

Some foreign observers and politicians believe the Juba government will offer recognition to Somaliland which will pave the way for other regional powers to follow.