Desperate Plea: Mother of Missing Somali Intelligence Officer Ikran Tahlil Farah Seeks Justice After Three Years

Ikran Tahlil, a National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) officer, vanished on June 26, 2021. Eyewitnesses saw her entering a vehicle registered to NISA near her residence in Mogadishu’s Abdulaziz district. According to her family, she had been summoned to NISA headquarters.

Her disappearance has sparked a media firestorm and political turmoil. In September 2021, NISA stated Ikran had been turned over to the militant group Al-Shabaab, who purportedly killed her. Yet, Al-Shabaab denied it, deepening suspicions of NISA’s involvement.

Current NISA Director-General Abdullahi Ali Sanbalolshe speculated Ikran might have been targeted due to her knowledge of Somali army recruits secretly being sent to Eritrea. This information possibly links to the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia.

Her case ignited a fierce dispute between Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed regarding NISA Director Fahad Yasin’s removal. This disagreement uncovered rifts in Somalia’s political and security spheres.

Multiple investigations and inquiries, including a military court report absolving NISA and blaming Al-Shabaab, have failed to convince Ikran’s family, who see the report as a smokescreen. Guhad accused President Farmajo of shielding NISA officials involved in Ikran’s disappearance.

“Ikran’s case is under the scrutiny of all Somalis. They remain silent, and nothing has been done for me,” Guhad lamented. She demands a genuine investigation to secure justice for her daughter and avert future incidents.

Guhad holds onto a sliver of hope that the authorities will finally act. “I hope something will be done about this,” she said softly.