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Monday, August 27, 2007

Shabelle Radio and US Embassy in Nairobi promote peace


Shabelle Media Network, an independent media house in Somalia, has begun broadcasting a peace promoting programme sponsored by the United States Embassy in Nairobi. The programme includes panel discussions about the promotion of peace-building by key figures such as clan elders, intellectuals, scholars and politicians. Shabelle Media Network already produces dramas to create peace and community well-being.
The programme started on 15 August. Abdimalik Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of Shabelle Media Network said “Shabelle has always played a vital role in peace promotion in war-torn Somalia since it was founded in 2002.” He said the radio play “Qomamo” (Regrettable) which was aired through Shabelle Radio, guided millions of Somali militiamen to a new life by abandoning the life of violence and the wild loyalty to warlordism.
“After we aired Qomamo for over a year and half, the young men on the streets with the guns began to realize that they were being used by warlords and they dropped the guns they were using for killing” Said Abdimaalik. He is confident that this new programme will help Somalis think more about peace and security.
(Source: Shabelle Media Network/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)