Somali soldier sentenced to death for killing former commander

The court found Hussein Hassan Mahmoud, a Somali National Army (SNA) soldier, guilty of killing former Second Lieutenant Shafici Mohamed Haanshi Ali on November 17.

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred after Hussein assaulted his sister. Her son alerted military police in the Al-Cadaala neighborhood, seeking their intervention. The late officer, accompanied by three soldiers, responded and ordered Hussein to surrender his weapon. Hussein refused and opened fire, killing his former commander.

After examining the case, the First Instance Court of the Armed Forces determined there was sufficient evidence to sentence Hussein to death by firing squad.

The ruling was delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Abdi Mumin, a member of the military court. The verdict highlights the military’s efforts to enforce discipline within its ranks amid ongoing security challenges in Somalia.