Somali Council Member Juweria Mohamed’s Family Demands Justice After Federal Police Shooting

The departed Juweria Mohamed (left) and her sister Ayan Mohamed (Photo: Juweria’s family member)

The kin of Juweria Mohamed (Subcis), a key player in the ruling Prosperity Party Central Committee and a member of the Somali Regional State Council, voiced their vexation to Addis Standard. They point to the dearth of genuine justice and recompense, along with coercion from regional security forces, as their main sources of distress.

They claim there’s a vacuum of proper legal recourse and lack of financial restitution, while also contending that regional security forces have subjected them to “threats, beatings, and detention.”

On October 25, 2022, Juweria was gunned down by a federal police officer at Garad Wilwal Airport in Jigjiga, the Somali Regional State’s capital. The incident also left three others badly injured: her sister, Ayan Mohamed, and Abdirashid Mohammed, a regional cabinet member.

Ayan Mohamed, an American national, was injured along with her 13-year-old son. Now back stateside, Ayan has had one of her legs amputated due to her injuries.

In a conversation with Addis Standard, Yasin Mohammed, sibling to Juweria, detailed the events leading up to the shooting.

He explained that after his sister landed from overseas, they tried to snap some photos at the airport. “A federal cop took issue with the photography,” remarked Yasin.

“Following a tiff,” Yasin told Addis Standard, “the officer shot my sister right in the forehead, killing her instantly. He then shot my other sister Ayan in the leg multiple times and also hit a 13-year-old boy.”

Ayan underwent three leg amputations as a consequence of the attack, Yasin added.

Yasin also raised grave concerns about transparency in Juweria’s death. He alleges Juweria’s personal devices were seized and wiped clean before return, making him suspect premeditation.

Post Juweria’s death, Mohamed Guray, ex-Deputy Chief of Security for the Somali region, issued a statement to Addis Standard. Mohamed proclaimed the shooting seemed “a deliberate act,” noting, “A fracas ensued between the officer and Subcis, and the officer acted solo.”

In December 2022, the Jigjiga high court sentenced the federal police officer guilty of Juweria’s fatal shooting to death.

However, Yasin disclosed that the family did not attend the trial held at the Jigjiga Zone High Court.

He voiced doubts about the verdict and its execution, saying, “We remain uncertain about the ruling and its implementation.”

After questioning regional authorities about enforcing the judgment, Yasin reported only hearing that a request for authorization had been filed with the president’s office.

Following Juweria’s death, Yasin shared a troubling narrative of harassment. He mentioned threats, physical assaults, and even arrests.

Yasin was detained for two months after seeking justice via media channels, only released under a grave warning to stay quiet.