Somalia’s military court issues death sentences over deadly clan killings in lower Shabelle

Somalia’s military court has issued extensive verdicts, including death sentences, prison terms, and acquittals, following a series of deadly clan-related attacks in Wanlaweyn and Yaqbariweyne in the Lower Shabelle region. The violence, rooted in long-standing clan vengeance, between two rival clans escalated dramatically in recent months and was further aggravated by inflammatory content circulated on social media.

According to prosecutors, the incidents amounted to collective killings carried out with extreme cruelty, which have “no basis in Somali culture and values” and are extremely damaging to the “country’s image.” Among the most disturbing episodes were the brutal and gruesome killing of an elderly man with a mental illness and a separate attack that left 12 people dead. Entire villages were also reportedly destroyed.

In its ruling, the Military Court sentenced nine individuals to death by firing squad for direct involvement in the killings. Six others, who remain at large, were handed death sentences in absentia for a separate armed assault that killed five people and injured five more. Additionally, six defendants received five-year military prison sentences for secondary involvement in the killing of the elderly victim, while four others were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Speaking after the ruling, Ahmed Abdalla, the Deputy Chief Military Prosecutor, said that certain government officials had contributed to fueling the conflict. “There are officials with parliamentary immunity who are aligned with the rival groups fighting in the Walanweyn area,” he stated. “These officials fund the militias, supply them with weapons, and defend them online. We have evidence, and we will be asking parliamentary leadership to strip these officials of their immunity.”

Since the killing of the elderly man, who relatives described as having mental health challenges, circulated widely online and sparked national outrage, political tensions within South West State have intensified. Several Members of Parliament elected from the state have publicly traded accusations.

MP Dahir Amin Jeesow had earlier alleged that the South West administration was complicit in clan-driven violence, claiming the regional leadership was “aware and involved” in the clashes. Following the incident, MP Saredo Abdalla drew criticism after questioning the victim’s mental condition and suggesting he had been “prepared for combat,” remarks that many viewed as dismissive of the gravity of the killing. In a separate press conference, MP Suhur Ullusow accused Jeesow of “supplying weapons to clan militias.”

These public allegations have intensified scrutiny of political actors in South West State at a time when there is mounting concern about their potential role in sustaining clan-based conflicts. For months, several legislators have faced accusations of indirectly financing and supporting armed groups within their constituencies, a dynamic widely seen as contributing to recurring cycles of clan violence across south central Somalia. Despite the seriousness of the claims, the prosecutor’s office has not indicated when, or if, formal criminal charges may be brought against the officials implicated.