Fury in Somalia as Man Claims Marriage to Missing 8-Year-Old Girl
A shocking case of child marriage in Somalia has triggered widespread outrage after an eight-year-old girl, missing for six months, was discovered living with a man who claimed to be her husband.
The young girl had been reported missing in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region, since September last year.
Her family had no information about her whereabouts until recently, when it was revealed that her father had given his consent for her to marry an adult man identified as Sheikh Mahmoud.
Authorities acted last week, storming the man’s home after he barricaded himself inside a room with the girl. The intervention led to her rescue, but the case has fueled intense public backlash, with protests erupting in the capital, Mogadishu.
Legal Loopholes and Public Outcry
Somalia currently lacks a legal minimum age for marriage, a gap that has reignited debates on child protection laws. Activists and human rights organizations are demanding urgent reforms.
Fadumo Ahmed, chairperson of the Somali Women Vision Organisation, expressed horror at the revelations.
“Beyond the tragic nature of the case itself, what is deeply disturbing are the allegations of abduction and the prolonged disappearance of the girl without her family’s knowledge,” Ahmed told the BBC. “We trust the authorities will take the necessary legal action.”
The girl’s uncle revealed that a female relative had taken her from her home in Bosaso under the pretense of visiting another family member. Months later, a video surfaced online showing the child reciting the Quran, which prompted the family to intensify their search.
Cleric’s Justification Sparks Further Controversy
Upon discovery, Sheikh Mahmoud initially insisted that he was merely teaching the girl the Quran. However, when faced with legal complaints, he changed his account, stating that the marriage had been approved by the girl’s father.
When questioned by the BBC about how he justified marrying an eight-year-old, Mahmoud defended his actions by citing traditions from the Prophet Muhammad and the Shafi’i school of Islamic thought. However, his claims faced strong opposition from Somali Islamic scholars, who denounced child marriage. Despite this, Mahmoud remained defiant, refusing to renounce the so-called marriage.
Government Response and Ongoing Investigation
On March 25, Puntland police and human rights authorities intervened, successfully removing the girl from the cleric’s home and reuniting her with her family. Officials confirmed that a formal investigation is now underway.
Child marriage remains a persistent issue in Somalia. A 2020 report by the United Nations Population Fund and the Somali government found that 35% of women aged 20-24 were married before turning 18, down from 45% in 2017.
Poverty, insecurity, and deeply ingrained customs continue to fuel child marriage, making legislative reform a pressing need. In 2023, Somalia’s Ministry of Women and Human Rights proposed a child rights bill to parliament. However, the proposal was rejected due to objections from lawmakers. While the bill is expected to be reintroduced, no clear timeline has been set.
Moving Forward
The harrowing case has reignited discussions on legal protections for children and the urgent need for policy changes. Activists continue to pressure the government to establish firm legal frameworks to prevent child marriages and safeguard vulnerable minors.
The global community watches closely as Somalia grapples with this issue, hoping that justice will be served and that measures will be taken to protect children from similar fates.
Fury in Somalia as Man Claims Marriage to Missing 8-Year-Old Girl
