April 2000
The people of Djibouti, an East African Nation, had been for decades saddled with a Hobson’s choice when it comes to newspapers. There was just the official government owned “La Nation.” However, since it is in French only, this paper was restricted to the few privileged who understand the French language. The vast majority of the people were essentially without any newspaper in their native language, which is the Somali language -the other native language being Afar.
The yearning of the Djibouti people to read something in their native language was being filled these last few years by newspapers flown daily from the neighbouring Republic of Somaliland, in particular, the newspaper known as Jamhuuriya, which is printed in Hargeisa, Somaliland became very popular.
Now the government of Ismail Omar Guelleh has taken away the freedom of choice for printed media information from the people of Djibouti. All newspapers from Somaliland have been banned, in particular Jamhuuriya and its sister publication, the Republican. The Government of Djibouti has given no particular reason for banning these newspapers. Jamhuuriya and its sister publication had not been accused of any crimes. Nevertheless, what could they be accused of anyway? These two independent papers have established a tradition of good journalism for themselves and that is why the people of Djibouti are buying them.
The only reason for this attack against the press is that the government of President Guelleh does not want its people reading independent news and information from other sources. The Government of President Guelleh is practicing censorship and is curtailing the freedom of the press by deciding what the people of Djibouti may read or may not read. This is a deplorable act in the 21st century that should be condemned by all those concerned with free speech and free press.
Therefore, we call upon the international community to condemn this flagrant act against free speech and the freedom of the press in Djibouti, as well as lift this censorship and let the people make their choice of media information source.
Somaliland Forum