Across Somalia, women and girls continue to suffer some of the most brutal forms of violence imaginable. Among the most horrific cases are those where victims are burned alive, often in acts of domestic violence or gender-based violence. One of the most shocking recent cases was that of Luul Sheikh Abdiaziz, a 28-year-old civil servant and mother of six in Mogadishu. In January 2024, she was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire by her husband while pregnant. She suffered severe burns and died days later in hospital.
Her death triggered outrage across Somalia. Protesters marched in the capital demanding justice, holding placards with her photograph and calling attention to the increasing number of femicides in the country. Another case that shocked the world occurred in 2008.
Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, a 13-year-old Somali girl, was publicly executed by stoning in the city of Kismayo after she tried to report that she had been raped.
Witnesses reported that militants buried the girl up to her neck and threw stones at her head in front of hundreds of spectators. Several bystanders who attempted to intervene were shot.
Her killing became a global symbol of the extreme vulnerability faced by girls in conflict-affected regions. At least 3 women killed in one week in 2024.
A Rare Case of Prosecution
Unlike many cases of gender-based violence in Somalia, Luul’s killing resulted in a full legal process:
- The perpetrator, Sayid Ali Moalim Daoud, was arrested and charged
- A regional court sentenced him to death in March 2024
- The conviction was upheld on appeal
- Somalia’s Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence later in 2024
Justice Delayed Is Justice Questioned
Despite the final ruling, the sentence has not yet been carried out.
This delay has raised serious concerns among activists and civil society groups:
- Why has a confirmed sentence not been implemented?
- Are political, social, or clan dynamics influencing the process?
- Does justice operate equally for all victims in Somalia?
The Role of International Donors
Somalia is one of the largest recipients of international development and humanitarian aid in the world. Major donors include:
- United Nations
- European Union
- United States Agency for International Development
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
These donors have invested billions of dollars in state-building, governance reform, and security sector development since the early 2000s.
However, critics argue that donor programs have often prioritized security and political stabilization over justice sector reform and women’s rights protections.
As a result, while some progress has been made in building government institutions, protections for women and girls remain weak. Many cases never reach the police. Others are settled through informal clan agreements, where perpetrators avoid criminal punishment.
Some victims are buried without investigation. Others are silenced before they can speak.
Call to Action
- Demand accountability from Somali authorities
- Support organisations working on women’s rights in Somalia
- Raise awareness internationally
- Pressure donors to prioritise justice and protection
Justice for Luul must mean justice for all.
