HARGEYSA, Dec 21, 2007 - A group of Somali journalists who fled violence and death threats in the capital Mogadishu have once again fled another Somali region after local rulers demanded the journalists leave.

The group of thirteen journalists lived together in a temporary home in Hargeysa, capital of Somalia's separatist enclave of Somaliland.

But Somaliland authorities issued a statement earlier this month demanding at the exiled Mogadishu journalists leave Hargeysa.

The journalists were accused of publishing critical reports that might harm Somaliland's “vital relationship” with Ethiopia.

Abdirisak “Alan-Dosh” Adan, one of the exiled Mogadishu journalists, said they decided to leave Hargeysa following the order from the Somaliland government.

“We contacted the UNHCR at its Hargeysa office seeking asylum but they told us they cannot accept us now but advised us to go to a country recognized by the UN,” Alan-Dosh told Garowe Online on Friday.

Another six Mogadishu reporters remain in Hargeysa and are said to be negotiating for their stay in Hargeysa.

Ethiopia has strong relations with Somali rulers in various parts of the country, including Somaliland and the Mogadishu-based transitional federal government.

Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu backing transitional government forces have been accusing of war crimes, along with insurgent groups waging war on the government.

Somalia is considered one of the world's most dangerous countries for reporters to work in, according to press watchdog groups.

Source: Garowe Online