On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, families of Somali nationals sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia protested in the streets of Mogadishu, demanding immediate intervention from the Somali federal government. They urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to engage with Saudi authorities to halt the executions and secure the release of their loved ones. This protest highlights the growing desperation among Somali families, as over 50 Somali nationals are currently on death row in Saudi Arabia, primarily for drug-related offenses.
Families’ Grievances
– The families allege that many of the detainees were coerced or deceived into smuggling drugs, often under false promises of employment. They argue that their loved ones were denied fair trials, adequate legal representation, and due process.
– Mohamed Nur Hussein, a Somali national executed on February 16, 2025, became a focal point of the protests. His family claimed he was unjustly tried and executed, sparking outrage among the Somali community.
Somali Government’s Efforts
– The Somali Consulate in Jeddah has been actively negotiating with Saudi authorities to commute death sentences to prison terms. However, these efforts have yielded limited success, with executions continuing despite diplomatic appeals.
– Critics argue that the Somali government’s diplomatic interventions have been insufficient, calling for more decisive action to prevent further executions.
Saudi Arabia’s Strict Legal System
– Saudi Arabia enforces one of the world’s strictest judicial systems, with capital punishment frequently applied for drug trafficking, murder, and terrorism. The kingdom has executed over 200 individuals in 2024 alone, marking a significant increase in executions compared to previous years.
– The Somali detainees’ cases highlight the broader challenges faced by migrants in Saudi Arabia, including language barriers, inadequate legal representation, and harsh judicial processes.
International and Local Advocacy
– Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned Saudi Arabia’s escalating use of the death penalty, particularly for non-lethal offenses like drug trafficking. They argue that such executions violate international human rights standards.
– Somali activists and families are urging the international community to pressure Saudi Arabia to halt executions and ensure fair trials for detainees.
Impact on Somali Communities
– The executions have caused widespread grief and anger among Somali communities, both in Saudi Arabia and Somalia. Families fear that more executions could follow unless urgent action is taken.
– The Somali government’s complex stance on the death penalty—enforcing it domestically while advocating for clemency abroad—has drawn criticism for its perceived inconsistency.
The protests in Mogadishu underscore the urgent need for stronger diplomatic efforts to address the plight of Somali nationals on death row in Saudi Arabia.
Families are calling on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to prioritize this issue and engage directly with Saudi authorities to secure the release of their loved ones.
The international community’s involvement may also be crucial in pressuring Saudi Arabia to halt executions and ensure fair trials for all detainees.