Mother of Slain Clan Elder Blames Authorities and Calls for Justice

Badhan, Somalia – September 23, 2025 — The mother of slain clan elder Chief (Caaqil) Omar Abdullahi Abdi has issued a public statement on video, condemning what she described as the “brutal killing” of her son and accusing the Puntland administration of negligence and failure to respond to the incident.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the grieving mother expressed her profound sorrow and called for accountability from regional authorities, saying that no official had reached out to the family to explain the circumstances of the killing or to offer condolences.

“It is with profound grief that I inform the public and all concerned parties of a great tragedy that has befallen our family, the brutal killing of my son, whom I bore and raised,” the statement read.
“We hold the Puntland administration responsible for the circumstances surrounding this incident. No official has contacted us to explain how this happened or to express sympathy.”

According to her statement, Chief Cumar, born in 1964 in rural Somalia, was widely respected for his peaceful nature and leadership. After spending his youth in the countryside, he moved to Laasqoray, where his father, a skilled driver and later fisherman, lived and worked.

Chief Cumar later settled in Badhan, where he built a family home and was eventually chosen by his community to serve as a Nabadoon (traditional elder), succeeding his late father in that role.

The mother described her son as a man of integrity who lived a modest life, working tirelessly to provide for his family without ever holding a government job or salary.

“He was a hardworking and peaceful man throughout his life,” she said. “He never harmed anyone, and no complaints were ever made against him.”

The family, together with members of the Sanaag community, is demanding a full investigation into the killing and accountability for those responsible. The statement also criticized what it called the Puntland administration’s “failure of duty” for not reaching out to the family in the aftermath of the tragedy.

“Their failure to even extend condolences to this day is a profound neglect of their duty,” the statement continued. “We demand a full explanation for how this tragedy was allowed to occur. We call upon anyone who can assist us to come forward and support us in seeking justice for this heinous act.”

Chief Cumar, described as “a leader for the entire community,” leaves behind a mourning family and his elderly mother, who said his death has left “a deep void in the hearts of those who knew and respected him.”

Regional authorities have not yet issued an official response to the allegations or provided details surrounding the incident.