Hargeisa- Hadhwanaag news website has been blocked by two internet providers in Somaliland. Inaccessible to the users of Somcable and Somtel, a human rights organization condemned the act and called it suppression.

"Internet provider blocking news website to silence it worsens the situation of Somaliland journalists who are already working in unfavorable environment. It is very concerning when internet providers side with the government in suppressing the critical voices,” says Guleid Ahmed Jama, the chairperson of Human Rights Centre.

"The actions of Somcable and Somtel are unacceptable and are threat to the freedom of expression. We condemn these attempts aimed to control the independent media coverage. The internet providers have no right to take the law in their hand,” he adds.

"Hadhwanaagnews was blocked after it published news article claiming that the owner of Somcable, Mohamed Saed Guedi, provides financial support to the ruling party, Kulmiye. Somcable asked the website to remove the article,” says press release issued byHuman Rights Centre,a local watchdog.

The internet providers are yet to comment.