Somalia's Radio Mogadishu Archives Get New Lease on Life

In the sweltering heat of Mogadishu, a team of archivists is racing against time to preserve the vast audio archives of Radio Mogadishu, Somalia's largest public broadcaster. Founded in 1951, the station has been a vital source of news, music, and drama for Somalis and audiences across East Africa. With an estimated 400,000 hours of material recorded since its inception, the archives hold a treasure trove of Somalia's collective memory.

The archives are a prison that needs to be opened up to the public, unlocking a treasure trove of Somalia's collective memory.

The effort to preserve these archives has gained momentum in recent months, with officials from the information ministry and UNESCO's regional office for Eastern Africa working together to register the contents with the Memory of the World programme. This initiative aims to safeguard the knowledge and cultural heritage of Somalia for future generations. As archivist Abdiqadir Geedi Robleh puts it, the archives are a 'prison' that needs to be opened up to the public.

The project faces a daunting task, with around 10% of the tapes having deteriorated beyond recovery and over 5% destroyed or severely damaged. However, the team is making progress, with over 85% of the tapes remaining playable. With the clock ticking, the team's efforts will likely yield a rich reward for Somalis and historians alike, offering a unique glimpse into the country's past and its cultural heritage.