In addition to the enforced closure, Radio Maandeeq’s management was instructed to come to headquarters of Al-Shabaab in Baladhawo. According to representatives of the station’s management, Al-Shabaab officials have stated that the radio will remain off air for 24 hours. The same officials have demanded of Radio Mandeeq to present to Al-Shabaab recordings of all the programs they have been airing and the schedule of its daily program. The radio station’s management has refused to do this.
“We denounce the closure of Radio Maandeeq as an act of absolute suppression of media freedom. As such, it also cuts off information from the people in Baladhawo” said Omar Faruk Osman, right, NUSOJ’s Secretary General. “Al-Shabaab must end this act of oppression and allow the station to continue its operations without threats and censorship”.
 condemns the closure of the private radio station Radio Maandeeq in Baladhawo district of Gedo region. This morning, around 07:00, Al-Shabaab forces controlling the south-western regions of Republic of Somalia ordered the management of the radio to shut down the station, according to the station's journalists.&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F){kind=link}