Somali Families Rally in Mogadishu, Demand Intervention to Rescue Kin Facing Execution in Saudi Arabia
Mogadishu (AX) – Under the sweltering rays of the Mogadishu sun, a group of anguished families protested on Wednesday. Their loved ones—Somali citizens—face death sentences in Saudi Arabia. With pleas that tug at the heart, these families called upon the Somali government to intercede on behalf of their imprisoned kin.
The protesters, a tapestry of pain and resolve, claimed that 45 Somali nationals languish on death row in Saudi prisons. Their cry is simple yet profound: they demand negotiations with Saudi authorities to halt the impending executions and seek legal representation for those detained. “Mr. President, please release our sons. They are being held in blatant injustice,” implored one desperate relative, eyes filled with both hope and despair.
Mohamud Ahmed, a voice of frustration, animated by a fury that can only be understood by those who have lost contact with their loved ones, expressed his concern. “We have had no contact with our children in prison. They have not received any legal assistance or support. They did not commit the crimes they are accused of,” he stated, each word carrying the weight of the injustice he perceives.
This rally, emboldened by a sense of urgency, followed swiftly on the heels of bitter news. Just days prior, Saudi authorities executed a Somali national, Mohamed Nur Hussein Ja’al, on charges of drug smuggling. Increasing the already heavy burden of the families, Hussein’s execution was carried out in the Saudi kingdom’s established practice of beheading, further chilling an already tense situation. Hussein, who once made his home in Yemen for over a decade before venturing into Saudi Arabia, continually reassured his family of his inevitable release. But with a grim finality, his promises were cut short, leaving his family in a haze of disbelief.
His kin, however, denounce the actions as unjust, painting a harrowing picture of a man denied a fair trial. They resolutely argue that Hussein was deprived of due process, with minimal access to legal counsel and no opportunity to appeal his sentence—an argument shared by many in their situation.
In a revealing exchange with the BBC, Somali Consul Ahmed Mahmoud Diriye (Macaruuf) noted his office’s identification of up to 50 Somali detainees, most having been arrested near the perilous Saudi-Yemen border. Such situations call into question the very fabric of justice being applied. These individuals, many claim, were ensnared into a world of crime through coercion or false offers of employment.
Human rights organizations have taken notice, voicing their concerns over the troubling conditions surrounding these arrests. The notion that countless detainees were duped or forced into illicit activities under duress raises critical ethical questions. Can justice truly exist in environments rife with manipulation and deceit?
As the families extend their appeal, their hope rests not just on legal interventions but on a broader diplomatic effort. The Somali government is urged to act decisively, preventing further executions and ensuring that baseline fair legal processes are respected. Their demand is not just for justice but for humanity—the right to face one’s accusers, to mount a defense, and to experience due process undergirded by true fairness.
Within the broader geopolitical arena, this plea for justice underscores a pressing question: How far will Somalia go to protect the rights and lives of its citizens abroad? It’s a question that not only pricks the conscience of governments but also challenges the international community to reevaluate the weight and value it places on human rights across borders.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring
