Wednesday June 11, 2025
Galkacyo (HOL) — The Governor of Mudug region, Faysal Abdullahi Sheikh (Jifojabsade), has denied allegations that traders and elders from Somalia’s Southwest State were tortured after photos circulated on social media showing the men with their hands and feet tied.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Governor Faysal said the men voluntarily allowed themselves to be detained in order to pressure their community into paying (blood compensation) over a killing that occurred nearly two decades ago.
“The individuals in the photos were not tortured,” the governor said. “This was a symbolic act. The men chose to be restrained and took pictures of themselves to send to their families, urging them to settle the compensation for a man from Puntland who was killed 19 years ago.”
Governor Faysal added that the families of the slain man and the men from Southwest—both from different clans—had reached a mutual understanding, and the images were being misinterpreted.
“For 19 years, no one was arrested, and no compensation was paid. These individuals acted in desperation to push their community to respond,” he said, adding that politicizing the issue was "unfortunate and unhelpful."
A day ago, Somali federal lawmakers from the Southwest State strongly condemned the incident, calling it collective punishment and a threat to national unity. Member of Parliament Abdirashid Jilley criticized the detention of the men, stating that the accusation was vague and did not justify targeting an entire community.
“There are over 200 clans in Southwest. You don’t punish a whole region for the actions of one individual,” Jilley said.
Fellow MP Mohamed Barre Mohamud also denounced the act, saying it violated Islamic values and Somali traditions of hospitality and coexistence.