Written by Samme Bogad

Ingemar Löfgren and Yassin Mahi

Radio Somaliweyn has signed an agreement with Swedish Radio International, which will lead to the Swedish English language service being rebroadcast in Mogadishu, Somalia. In return, Radio Somaliweyn is hoping for capacity building help as they seek to strengthen their media business. Somaliweyn listeners will be able to follow the English language programmes of Swedish Radio International live in Mogadishu, Somalia, and on the internet pages of the Somaliweyn's website.

Yassin Mahi, one of the top officials of radio and TV Somaliweyn, who is also the head of marketing and international relations at the news organisation, welcomed the development between the two broadcasters.

"This is an historic event for a local Somali radio station to sign an agreement with an international broadcaster, and this issue will have immense advantage for the Somali community," he said.

As Ingemar Löfgren, the director of Swedish Radio International, signed the agreement, Mr. Mahi spoke about the problems faced by journalists working in war ravaged Somalia.

"These independent journalist are working in a very awful circumstances such as constant fear and oppression."

The agreement comes as the director of Somaliweyn Abdurahman Hudeyfi, along with reporter Al-Bashir, are still being held at the headquarters of the national security department in Somalia.