Edna Adan Ismail, reaffirmed her support for Somaliland independence and recognition on Oct 11, after VOA Somali aired a doctored interview that falsely portrayed her as sympathetic to Somali reunion.
Ismail, who once served as Somaliland’s Foreign Minister, and is currently Somaliland’s envoy for talks with Somaliland, says she was defamed by VOA Somali and that the interview that was aired on October 7th was misleading and false.
“Edna Adan Ismail was recently defamed. Since I was 17, I have always been around the media, and have been interviewed on many occasions. I even used to work for the BBC as a part-time gig when I was a student,”
“My interview (with VOA Somali) was misconstrued and was different than the original interview I gave,” Ismail said.
“Those who know me, know how much I love my Somaliland, my fellow citizens and how passionate I am about our cause,” Ismail said.
“I don’t believe there has ever been – and ever will be – someone who loves Somaliland more than me. Edna Adan isn’t someone who can be bought – or who will ever defect to Somalia. It will never happen. Edna Adan was born a Somalilander, is a Somalilander, and will die a Somalilander,” She said
“I pray that God will allow me to witness the day we become a fully independent and recognized country, with our flag raised at the UN (United Nations),” Ismail said.
VOA Somali reporter, Sahra Idle Nur, hasn’t responded to the claims that her interview with Ismail was falsified.
This isn’t the first time VOA Somali has aired deceiving reports and anti-Somaliland propaganda.
Just last year, ex-Somaliland Information Minister, Osman Abdullahi Sahardiid (Addani) warned VOA Somali that they would lose their license to operate in the country, if they continued airing anti-Somaliland propaganda.
VOA Somali signed an agreement with Somaliland’s Information Ministry in 2014, pledging to respect Somaliland’s independence in their news reports, and has been accused of breaking the agreement on several occasions, prior this interview.
It is not known whether Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry will terminate VOA Somali’s license, or whether Ismail will seek legal action against Sahra Idle Nur and VOA Somali.
