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Somalia bars reporters from airport ahead of polls

Xinhua, September 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Journalists in Somalia will not be able to cover any events at the Mogadishu airport for the next two months, aviation authorities said Thursday.

In a statement, Aden Adde Airport director of security Abdi Ashkir Jama said the decision was made out of security concerns.

Coming ahead of the polls set to start Saturday, the decree warns that violators may face prosecution, court fines or a total ban of reporting from any airport in the country.

The journalists union NUSOJ has however castigated the move as damaging the interests of the media and the public.

"The airport is a major news maker especially now when most candidates for the upcoming elections are trooping into the country. This is disappointing and regrettable," NUSOJ secretary general Mohamed Moalim said in a statement.

Last week, the Interior Ministry ordered political parties and groupings to cease any campaigns in the city citing security concerns.

Militant group Al-Shabaab has threatened to disrupt the polls and called on its members to attack elders who will be participating in the elections.

Parliamentary elections are set to begin on Saturday and will run through to Oct. 10. A new president will be elected by Oct. 30. Endit