The International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) and Reporters sans frontières (RSF) on Friday protested to Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, president of the self-declared republic of Puntland in northeastern Somalia, about the arrest of three journalists. According to information gathered by RSF, three independent journalists, Abulkadir Ali and Mohamed Deeq of the newspaper 'Sahan', and Ahmed Mohamed Ali of the newspaper 'Riyaq' were arrested on 2 August. The journalists were reported to be well known for their criticism of the Puntland authorities. RSF urged Ahmed "to use his influence to ensure that the three journalists are released immediately." Robert Ménard, the organisation's secretary-general, noted that the Charter for Puntland State guaranteed freedom of expression and said: "As far as we know, they merely exercised their right to inform."
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