MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – In a heart-wrenching series of events, Somalia is witnessing a disturbing surge in femicide, with the recent brutal deaths of Luul Abdiasis and Fowsiyo Muhsin Mohamed, both mothers, raising public outrage over the often-overlooked incidents of violence against women in the country.
Luul Abdiasis, a mother of six and pregnant with her seventh child, met a tragic end on January 26.
Her life was abruptly cut short after enduring horrific torture that left her locked in a room and burnt alive. Rushed to the hospital in critical condition, Luul succumbed to severe burns covering her entire body.
The Mogadishu police statement on Saturday, February 3, revealed the shocking details of the brutality she endured.
Hafsa, Luul’s sister, suggested a possible motive for the crime, citing a jealous conflict between Luul and her husband, Sayid-Ali Moalim Daa’uud, identified by the police as the perpetrator.
In response to this horrifying incident, Luul’s immediate relatives staged a protest in Mogadishu’s Hamarweyne district, demanding justice for their daughter.
It did not stop there. A crowd of predominantly females assembled outside Digfer Hospital on Friday, where Luul’s body was held, fervently calling for justice.
In a disturbing turn of events, another femicide case unfolded in the town of Qoryooley in Lower Shabelle region.
Fowsiyo Muhsin Mohamed, a mother of four, fell victim to the brutality of her husband, Saleman Haji Abdi.
The heinous act, involving the beheading and dismemberment of Fowsiyo’s body, sent shockwaves through the community.
Prompt action by residents led to the arrest of the suspect, who is now in police custody awaiting investigation.
The reasons behind these brutal killings remain unclear, with speculations pointing to jealousy disputes between the husbands and their wives.
Disturbingly, both families had previously raised concerns and complaints about potential threats against the victims. However, these cries for help were seemingly ignored, highlighting a systemic failure to protect women in such situations.
Concerns have been raised about the escape of Luul’s killer, Sayid-Ali Moalim Daa’uud, who reportedly fled to central Somalia. Questions surround how he managed to leave Mogadishu, with some sources suggesting the possibility of police complicity while boarding flight from Aden Adde Airport, Mogadishu.
The tragic incidents shed light on the broader issue of how women’s complaints against their husbands are handled within Somali society.
Typically, these complaints are not addressed by the police but are instead referred to clan elders or family members for resolution.
Deeply rooted in clan traditions, women are discouraged from reporting against their husbands, fearing societal shame or potential harm to the family structure.
At the Lower House, parliamentarians on Saturday took the stage to express their strong disapproval of the police’s inaction, condemning it as a clear indication of a dysfunctional justice system.
As Somalia grapples with these alarming cases of femicide, there is a growing demand for a comprehensive reevaluation of the systems in place to protect women and address domestic violence.
Despite the public outcry underscores the severity of the crisis, unfortunately authorities are yet to take any meaningful action to prevent further loss of innocent lives.