MOGADISHU — Somali Prime Minister Hassan Khaire has ordered his ministers to avoid using the social media to comment on sensitive political developments.
Khaire also warned ministers against communication with media without seeking clearance from his office.
The order follows what appeared to be different messages from the government ministers on Friday following a military operation in which 10 civilians were killed.
“All the cabinet ministers whom this document is directed at are informed to solicit a prior permission from the office of the Prime Minister when using the social media, radio stations, televisions and everything that relates to news broadcasting by sharing the issues that relate to the government,” Khaire said.
At this moment, it is forbidden to use the social media for matters relating to sensitive politics, the PM added.
The government was Friday forced to issue two statements following the operation in Barire, Lower Shabelle region while statements from the Information Minister and Foreign Affairs minister’s Facebook posts were later removed after it emerged there was no clarity on the operation.
The government later confirmed those killed were civilians and went ahead to form a probe committee.
The U.S. African Command (Africom) confirmed it carried out an operation alongside Somali forces in Barire noting it had received information of possible civilian casualties.
Source: Xinhua
