The government of Somaliland has banned Universal TV from operating anywhere in the country.
The decision to ban the independent TV station from operating in the country was conveyed by Suleiman Yusuf Ali Kore, Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Culture, and National Guidance.
Earlier in the week, the government had ordered Universal TV to close its Hargeisa offices and stationed police officers at its premises to enforce the directive.
According to Kore, Universal TV’s outright refusal to broadcast National Independence Day celebrations despite being asked to do so by the government was an unforgiveable offence.
Furthermore, Kore announced that the station had formed a habit of breaching the constitution and indulging in wayward acts that reek of nothing but ill-will.
The minister said the government took this decision after its repeated warnings to Universal TV went unheeded.