BELETWEIN, Somalia Aug 19 (Garowe Online) - A newly-appointed governor in central Somalia has ordered that independent broadcaster HornAfrik Radio stop operations in the region after accusing the station of bias.

Yusuf "Dabaged" Ahmed, governor of Hiran region, issued the order Saturday afternoon.

Hiran Governor Yusuf Dabaged

Two of HornAfrik's regional reporters, Elmi Ahmed Waare and Sowda Hussein, have been in jail since Friday.

"This [HornAfrik] station has made it normal to report nonexistent news and news that is not in the interest of the people," Governor Dabaged said.

He accused the radio station of focusing on "anti-administration" reports and for failing to report any of the Hiran administration's productive work.

HornAfrik did not come on the air on Sunday in Beletwein, capital of Hiran. The station lost its director and a reporter to increasing violence in Mogadishu last week.

Dabaged, a former warlord, was returned to power last month by decree issued from the Office of President Abdullahi Yusuf. His weak administration has been unable to stop clan violence in remote areas of Hiran region that has already claimed more than 20 lives. [ Full story]

Source: Garowe Online