Somaliland authorities have executed nine men convicted of murder, most of them members of the region’s security forces, in the latest implementation of death sentences under Islamic law.
HARGEISA (Somali Report) — Somaliland authorities on Wednesday executed nine men convicted of murder, most of them members of the region's security forces, in the latest implementation of death sentences under Islamic law.
The executions were carried out under the principle of qisas, or retributive justice, following court rulings that found the men guilty of murder and authorised their execution in accordance with Islamic Sharia law.
In a brief statement, Somaliland authorities said the punishment was intended to enforce what they described as obligations prescribed by God and to uphold justice and protect human life.
The families of the victims whose killings led to the convictions welcomed the executions, saying the authorities had delivered justice for their deceased relatives.
The killings and subsequent executions have drawn attention to the role of the judicial system in addressing violent crimes, particularly those involving members of the security forces.
Most of the nine men executed on Wednesday were reportedly serving in Somaliland's security institutions, although authorities did not provide detailed information about their identities, the circumstances of the original murders or the locations where the crimes took place.
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Qisas is a principle of Islamic jurisprudence that allows the family of a murder victim to seek retribution against a convicted killer. Under Islamic law, the victim's family may also choose to forgive the offender or accept financial compensation, commonly known as diya, instead of execution.
The latest executions are part of efforts by Somaliland's authorities to enforce judicial rulings in serious criminal cases and demonstrate that individuals convicted of murder can face the death penalty regardless of their positions or affiliations.
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Irro, has overseen two rounds of qisas executions since taking office, with the total number of people executed reaching about 11, according to the information released by the authorities.
The latest development comes amid renewed public attention to accountability and the enforcement of criminal justice in Somaliland, particularly in cases involving deadly violence.
Authorities have presented the executions as a measure to uphold the sanctity of human life and deter further killings.
However, the announcement did not provide details on whether the convicted men had exhausted all available appeals or whether independent observers had monitored the judicial proceedings.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
