By: Yumoha Pasha
STOCKHOLM (Somalilandsun) –The government of Sweden is intent on ending over two decades of violence and human suffering in Somalia.
To this effect the Swedish ministry of foreign affairs has organized a training session for journalists from the Somalia Federal Government-SFG state owned media houses.
The one week media workshop that is expected to kick off on Monday next has the objective of collating information on the root causes of the now inherent bloodletting and lawlessness in the country termed as world’s longest failed state.
During the weeklong Stockholm session participating members of Somalia’s state owned media houses shall also receive skills in profusion of information geared towards reconciling warring parties in the country that is host to thousands of foreign troops from African under the guise of AMISOM whose mission is to prop the weak government of President Hasan and tackle Al-Shabaab militants whip control a third of the nation.
While state journalists receiving skills training of any kind is welcome especially for the failed Somalia those from Somaliland which has been peaceful and sovereign for 23 years is unfathomable.
According to reliable reports a journalist with the government owned and run Somaliland National TV-SLNTV, name withheld, is currently in the Swedish capital Stockholm where he is planning to participate in the Somalia state media training Workshop.
While the said is a prominent journalist Somaliland where apart from his duties at the SLNTV he also is editor of a daily Somali language newspaper and its official website his attendance of the training meant for Somalia state journalists would be disastrous.
The said SLNTV journalists who holds a foreign passport and thus likely on personal or official business is always embedded with senior government officials during foreign tours thence his participation in the Stockholm conference marring the Sovereignty, credibility and international image of not only the Republic of Somaliland but that of the administration officials who utilize his services regularly as well.
We therefore hope and pray that no journalist from Somaliland shall participate in the Somalia media training workshop despite official initiation which they or he shall decline thence put country first over the person.
