Police officers sentenced to death in Somalia for murder

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Two police officers have been slapped with a death sentence in Somalia by a military court, officials said, in the latest judgment which correctly puts Somalia as one of the countries determined to uphold the rule of law after many years of mismanagement.

According to government officials, those convicted include the commander of Huriwaa police station, Abdifatah Mohamed Hassan Qoslaaye, who has been on trial for the last two months following the tragic killing of a businessman.

The two were handed a death sentence after being convicted by Somalia’s military court for the alleged killing of businessman Abukar Ahmed Kaabah on Feb 24, 2024. During the hearing, Qoslaaye denied the charges but the prosecution put him on the murder scene.

Three other alleged accomplices including a rival businessman of the victim, were sentenced to 10 and 15 years jail terms for their role in the plot that led to the killing. The military courts in Somalia have been instrumental in justice dispensation.

In recent months, Somalia has embarked on judicial reforms, and once concluded, most of the cases will be handed by the civilian courts which are entrusted with the prosecution of such cases. Military courts are often used in the prosecution of high-magnitude criminal cases.

Somalia is undergoing evolution after years of misrule and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has promised to continue with a transformation agenda, including reforming the police force. For the last couple of years, local police have undergone immense training over the same.

In the coming months, local police are expected to take over security responsibilities once the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) leave the country. ATMIS started the withdrawal of her troops last year.

GAROWE ONLINE