Tuesday February 20, 2024 Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the police headquarters in Mogadishu on Monday, a few days after the deaths of three women, all allegedly murdered by their husbands, sparked outrage in the capital.

President Mohamud urged the Somali Police Force to focus on developing the country’s laws and intensify the fight against corruption and drug use. He received reports on the structure, operational procedures, reform plans, and statistics of the Somali Police Force from various departments within the force’s leadership.

The Somali police force apprehended the men responsible for killing their wives, with all cases occurring in the first week of February. Despite this, family members of the victims organized protests last week in Mogadishu to demand justice. It’s noted that two of the victims were pregnant.

Protesters held placards displaying photos of Lul Abdi Aziz Jazirain in her hospital bed. The 28-year-old had been doused with petrol and set alight. She suffered severe burns and survived in agony for seven days after being attacked. Jazira, a widow with six children, met her second husband at Mogadishu airport, where she worked. A few days later, security forces arrested Sayid Ali Moalim Daud, an airport worker, for burning his pregnant wife to death.

In the southern district of Qoryoley, Saleban Haji Abdi has been arrested and charged with stabbing 22-year-old Fus Mahfud Mohamed to death. He is alleged to have attacked his wife of seven years, who was pregnant with her fourth child, on 3 February.

On 4 February, another man was arrested in the town of Afgoye, near Mogadishu, outside his family home, in possession of gasoline and matches. Police said neighbours intervened in what appeared to be an attempt to set his wife and children on fire.

The President praised the significant achievements of the Police Force and encouraged officers and their leadership to enforce the rules and policies established to protect the dignity of the police and the community. He emphasized the importance of fostering a strong partnership that plays a major role in ensuring the security of the country and the safety of Somali children and women.

Source