Somaliland and Somalia's journalists sign landmark MOU - First such agreement since 1991

By Moha Dahir farah Jire

HARGIESA, Somaliland- The Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA) and National Union Of Somali Journalists ( NOSOJ) have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) in Somaliland for the first time and agreed to work closely together with both parties recognizing one another.
The signing of MOU is believed to be a good sign to cut through the rising tensions between Somaliland and Southern Somalia. Also included in the agreement is to allow the NOSOJ to come and hold training programs in the relative safety of Somaliland.

Mr. Mostafe Abdi Isse, SOLJA chairman at the signing ceremony noted that the signing would allow the opening up of opportunities for collaboration and professional exchanges between the two organizations.
Mr. Omer Farouq Osman, NOSOJ ‘s General secretary mentioned his delegation’s pleasure in forging a partnership with SOLJA and the warm welcome accorded to it.

“The reason why we tabled this MOU with Somaliland journalists is because they are our neighboring countries whose media have no limitations of freedom of expression and when it comes to workshops we prefer to hold them in a safe, secure and peaceful country which does not exist in Somalia”, said the general secretary.
Mr. Farouq went on to state that he truly believed that there were further opportunities of collaboration between Somalia and Somaliland journalists and urged SOLJA to join regional and international journalist bodies.