By a Somali intellectual,
Somalia has carried heavy wounds for decades. We have endured civil war, terrorism, corruption, and endless promises that never turned into change. But today, I believe the greatest danger to our country is not only al-Shabaab or foreign interference. The real danger is something closer, quieter, and more corrosive: Justice.
the death of justice.The Importance of Justice in Somalia
the death of Justice.
We all know the pattern. When ordinary people break the law, they face prison. But when the powerful kill soldiers, hijack weapons, or free extremists, they never see a courtroom. Instead, the matter is “negotiated” by clan elders, or dissolved into politics. We pretend this is reconciliation, but deep down, we know it is betrayal.
A Timeline of Betrayals
•December 12, 2024 – Raaskambooni Attack Ahmed Madobe, the former Jubaland president, sent his Raaskambooni fighters to attack Somali army bases. Soldiers died defending the republic. Their families still grieve. Yet no trial was ever held, no justice delivered. •July 18, 2025 – The Hijacked Vessel by Said Abdullahi Deni, the president of Puntland, carrying weapons for Somali security forces. The arms—meant to protect our nation—were looted. Again, nothing happened. No court case, no accountability, only silence. •September 25, 2025 – Mogadishu Police Station Attack: Four politicians—Abdirahman Abdi Shakuur Warsame.Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Mohamed Hussein Roble, and Hassan Ali Khayre—led an armed assault on a police station in the capital. They freed a terrorist suspect, killed a soldier, wounded three others, and destroyed government property. Instead of standing before a judge, they turned to elders for protection.
What Message Do We Send?
To the young soldier on the frontlines—what do we say? That his blood can be bargained away? To the mother who buries her son in uniform—what do we tell her? Does her sacrifice mean nothing? To the people who obey the law every day—what do they see? Is justice only for the poor, while the powerful are untouchable?
If this is Somalia’s reality, then we are not building a state. We are building a lie. The Choice Before Us. This is not about clan or politics. This is about survival. A nation without justice is a nation without a future.
Somalia must decide whether it will be ruled by laws or by backroom deals. Justice cannot be negotiated. No elder, no politician, and no clan leader has the authority to erase blood spilled for the state. Those who attack our soldiers, loot our weapons, or free extremists must face trial. That is the only way to protect the honor of our martyrs, the dignity of our people, and the future of our children.
A Final Appeal to the Government: Do Not Hide Behind Compromise. Show courage. Prove that no one is above the law. To the Somali people: do not stay silent. Demand justice. Demand a government that respects your sacrifices.
We have lost too much already. If we surrender justice, then Somalia itself is lost. But if we stand firm, if we defend the law, then we can finally build the Somalia we dream of—one that belongs to its people, not to its warlords. Justice must be defended. The future depends on it.
