Somalia Appeals to Saudi Arabia for Release of Drug Traffickers on Death Row
Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant diplomatic move, the Somali government has embarked on formal discussions with Saudi authorities seeking the release or repatriation of over 100 Somali nationals currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. This group includes individuals facing severe penalties, some of whom are sentenced to death for drug trafficking offenses. The situation has sparked considerable concern and discussion among Somalis both at home and abroad.
The information was confirmed by Abdiweli Hirsi Abdille, Somalia’s Consul General in Jeddah. He revealed that a vast majority of these prisoners have experienced lengthy detentions in the southern province of Najran, where many have spent between six to eight years behind bars. Alarmingly, out of this cohort, 58 have already been handed down sentences—some exceedingly severe, including the death penalty—while another 57 are embroiled in ongoing trials. Additionally, there are nine individuals whose fates remain uncertain, as they face incarceration without any formal charges filed against them.
The current dialogue comes in the wake of rising apprehension and distress among Somali families, particularly after Saudi Arabia executed a Somali national earlier this year. The news of similar executions involving detainees from Yemen and Ethiopia has increased the urgency of diplomatic engagement. What must it feel like for families to live with such uncertainties? The emotional toll of waiting, of fearing the worst possible outcomes for loved ones, is unimaginable.
In a statement, Abdille echoed the complexities of the situation: “Somalia and Saudi Arabia have held multiple discussions on possible releases or repatriations. Although progress has been limited, we remain hopeful.” Such optimism amid adversity reflects the resilience found in diplomatic efforts but also raises questions about the real efficacy of these discussions.
Recently, Abdille took the initiative to visit detainees in their facilities and had meetings with Prince Jalami bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the regional governor of Najran, and senior officials managing the prisons. While he noted the prisoners’ stable health, he reiterated their ongoing concerns and unmet needs. One poignant moment in his visit involved conversations where the imprisoned men expressed a yearning for self-improvement through education. “When I spoke with the prisoners, they told me they had learned a great deal during their time in detention, particularly in religious studies,” Abdille recounted. Their request for a Somali-speaking teacher was met with some progress, as the prison has agreed to provide instruction by someone fluent in both Somali and Arabic. What a remarkable glimmer of hope and resilience amid despair.
Yet, the broader context remains unsettling. Human rights organizations denounce Saudi Arabia’s continuing use of capital punishment, especially concerning non-violent drug offenses. Despite earlier commitments to rein in executions, Amnesty International reported that the kingdom executed at least 198 individuals in 2024—an alarming rate of nearly one execution every two days. Are these not lives, families, and futures at stake?
Comparatively, Saudi Arabia boasts one of the highest execution rates globally, a troubling trajectory that has accelerated since the ascension of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2015. Reflecting on this, one can’t help but consider the broader implications of such policies—where are the lines drawn between law, justice, and humanity?
The complexities of this issue are further deepened by the stories of the detainees’ families. Many relatives claim that those imprisoned were lured into drug trafficking under desperate circumstances after entering Saudi Arabia through Yemen. They often faced deceptive promises of hefty earnings for smuggling drugs across borders.
“Given their desperate circumstances, they were manipulated into carrying drugs,” shared Abdirahman Mohamed Abdiweli, whose relative has been caught in this quagmire. This sheds light on the harsh realities many face—how far would one go for a better life, and what are the risks involved?
Even though discussions have been ongoing for years, the fact remains that no detainees have been released through these negotiations. Somalia’s foreign ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to exploring every avenue of diplomacy to bring its citizens home. The stakes are undeniably high, and the heartache for families continues. How do we find closure amidst uncertainty?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
