Hargeisa – September 8, 2025 – The Maroodi Jeex Regional Court of Appeal has issued a new order mandating the complete blocking of the news outlets Hadhwanaagnews.com, Hadhwanaag News.ca, and Hadhwanaag TV.com.
The order, dated September 8, 2025, and signed by Judge Jariim Camar Cabdi, instructs all internet service providers operating in Hargeisa to immediately remove access to the specified websites. The directive will remain in effect indefinitely until a subsequent court order is issued.
This decision comes in response to a request filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Maroodi Jeex Region in April 2025. The court’s ruling cites a previous case (MGMJ/DDL/1107/2019) from February 8, 2025, where individuals linked to the platforms were convicted and sentenced under articles of the Penal Code. The appellants in that case received sentences of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 Somaliland Shillings each.
The Court of Appeal stated that its new blocking order is based on articles 52, 53, 54, 55, and 57 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Copies of the order have been sent to key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Somaliland Journalists Association (SOLJA), and the Chairman of the Higher Court, signaling a coordinated enforcement effort.
This move reinstates a previous blockade on the media group, effectively restricting public access to its content within Somaliland. The order does not specify an end date for the blockage, leaving the future availability of the websites contingent on a future decision by the appellate court.
