MOGADISHU — Somali police in the Hamarweyne district arrested a Somali National Army soldier on Saturday after a video widely shared on social media appeared to show him abusing a woman vendor at the busy Hamarweyne market, authorities said.
The suspect was identified by police as Abdifatah Mohamed Ibrahim, a member of the Somali National Army. He is in custody and will be transferred to court, the Banadir Regional Police Command said in a statement.
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“The suspect is in police custody and will be referred to the competent court to face the law,” the statement read. The command also instructed all security agencies to safeguard the rights, lives and property of Somali citizens, underscoring a public call for accountability that intensified after the video spread online.
The footage, which ricocheted across Somali social platforms in recent hours, triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over misconduct by individuals within security ranks. The police did not immediately release additional details about the woman or the circumstances that preceded the incident captured in the clip.
Hamarweyne, one of Mogadishu’s oldest commercial districts, draws heavy daily foot traffic from traders and shoppers. The setting, combined with the speed at which the video circulated, made the episode a flashpoint for public frustration over abuses faced by civilians, especially women working in informal and market economies.
Authorities framed the swift arrest as a signal that allegations of abuse by uniformed personnel will be treated as criminal matters and moved through the justice system. The police statement did not specify a court date or the exact charges Ibrahim could face; those will be determined by prosecutors once the case is formally referred.
While Saturday’s announcement focused on the immediate arrest and referral to court, the Banadir command’s broader directive to “safeguard rights, lives and property” served as a reminder to security agencies of their legal obligations to protect the public. It also aligned with growing civic demands for internal discipline mechanisms that proactively deter abuse and ensure transparent consequences when it occurs.
Officials urged residents to continue reporting violations and to use official channels when submitting evidence, such as videos, that may assist investigations. No further comment was available from the Somali National Army on the soldier’s status beyond his police detention.
- Suspect: Abdifatah Mohamed Ibrahim, identified as a Somali National Army soldier.
- Location: Hamarweyne market, Mogadishu.
- Status: In custody; police say he will be referred to a competent court.
- Context: Arrest followed a viral video showing the assault and sparking public outrage.
- Police stance: Banadir command reiterated orders to protect citizens’ rights, lives and property.
The case will likely be closely watched in Mogadishu, where market workers are a backbone of daily commerce and where the visibility of the alleged assault has raised the stakes for a transparent legal response. Authorities said updates will be provided as the case advances through the courts.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
