Mogadishu (AX) – In a significant move towards securing justice for its citizens abroad, the Somali government is campaigning diligently to revoke the death sentences handed down to nearly 40 Somali nationals incarcerated in Saudi Arabia. This endeavor aims to provide essential legal safeguards for Somalis globally.
On a hopeful Friday, Hassan Moalim, Somalia’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, shared promising news. He held a series of discussions with the Saudi Ambassador to Somalia, centering on crucial themes like justice access for Somali nationals and forging a robust partnership in judicial matters between the two nations.
“I discussed with the Saudi ambassador the cessation of executions of Somali youth, and he accepted our request. We also talked about building a cooperative relationship in the field of justice and judicial collaboration,” stated Minister Moalim.
Taking it a step further, the minister suggested a mutually beneficial prisoner exchange treaty with Saudi Arabia. This proposal is designed to allow Somali citizens convicted abroad to complete their sentences in Somali prisons. Reflecting on these strategic negotiations, Minister Moalim elaborated, “We are making efforts to extradite Somali citizens who are serving sentences in Saudi Arabia so they can serve their terms in Somalia. We have submitted the agreement on the matter and are awaiting a response from the Saudi Ministry of Justice to finalize the agreement.”
These diplomatic strides follow the heart-wrenching execution of Mohamed Nur Hussein, a Somali national who met his tragic fate in February 2025. Convicted of drug smuggling, Hussein faced the unforgiving consequence of beheading under Saudi Arabia’s capital punishment laws. Yet, his story raises poignant questions about justice and fairness: was Hussein truly given a chance to defend himself?
His family insists otherwise, lamenting that Hussein faced a trial marred by unfair practices. They allege that he was deprived of a just process, had restricted access to legal counsel, and was denied the critical opportunity to appeal against his verdict. The echoes of dissatisfaction did not stop at his family’s doorstep. In Mogadishu, family members of other Somali prisoners languishing on death row rallied, their cries reverberating with a singular demand – for the Somali government to earnestly advocate for their kin.
These developments have set the groundwork for ongoing discussions with Saudi officials. At the heart of the discourse is a bid to avert future executions and to lay down a legal framework facilitating the repatriation of Somali prisoners to serve their sentences within their native country. A question that naturally arises here is whether these bilateral efforts can evolve into a cornerstone for broader international judicial collaborations?
It’s a narrative not only of legal intricacies but also of human resilience and the quest for dignity in the face of adversity. The Somali government, navigating a complex web of diplomacy, seeks to not only safeguard its citizens but also to champion the universally cherished principles of justice and humanitarian spirit. Could these efforts lead to a more extensive reformation in international prisoner rights or redefine diplomatic negotiations in similar contexts?
In this critical journey of justice and compassion, one is reminded of the timeless words of Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Somalia, with its unwavering commitment, aspires to be that change for its citizens scattered across foreign lands.
Edited By Ali Musa, Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
