Mogadishu – Somali opposition leaders gathered at Hotel Jazira in Mogadishu on September 25 to offer funeral prayers for Liban Hashi, a former bodyguard to ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, who was killed in a violent confrontation with police earlier the same day.
Eyewitnesses said tensions flared after security forces confronted Hashi in unclear circumstances, leading to an exchange that ended with his fatal shooting. Authorities have not publicly clarified the cause of the altercation or whether an arrest attempt was underway at the time of the incident.
Senior opposition politicians, including figures allied to Khaire, condemned the killing and demanded an independent investigation. They described Hashi as a disciplined officer who had served faithfully in the former prime minister’s protection detail. Several warned that the growing use of force against political affiliates could inflame tensions ahead of looming national electoral disputes.
Security officials have maintained silence on the matter, declining to confirm whether any officers involved in the confrontation have been questioned. Rights activists urged the government to prevent impunity, noting that previous incidents involving alleged police misconduct have rarely resulted in accountability.
The funeral prayer service at Hotel Jazira drew dozens of politicians, former security officers, and community elders. Many participants framed Hashi’s death as part of a broader pattern of escalating confrontations between security agencies and opposition-aligned figures.
With public pressure mounting, observers say the government faces a critical test in handling the investigation transparently to avoid fueling further distrust in state institutions.