Somalia: Shabab Bans BBC and VOA, Loots Radio Transmitter

Mogadishu (RBC Radio) Somalia’s Islamist group of Al Shabab banned from people listening BBC radio and warned FM radio stations to broadcast programmes from BBC and VOA.

Al Shabab militia had accused British Broadcasting Corporation of broadcasting anti Islamic reports and supporting Somali government. In a statement issued the group on Friday they ordered radio stations to finish their contract to broadcast BBC and VOA programmes in the country.

Local residents in Mogadishu confirmed to RBC Radio that Al Shabab militia also seized radio transmitter which let audience hear BBC programmes in Mogadishu after Friday’s ban.

The decision to ban BBC and VOA programmes the Shabab controlled areas came days after other group, Hisbul Islam had issued another decision to ban radio local radio stations to play music.

Al-Shabab insurgents control much of southern and central Somalia, including large portions of Mogadishu.

The group wants to topple the country’s weak U.N.-backed government and replace it with an Islamic state. Somalia has not had an effective government for nearly 20 years.