Thursday February 8, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - The United Nations has commended the arrest of a man accused of a heinous crime involving his wife, underscoring its commitment to combating gender-based violence. In a statement, the UN Office in Somalia lauded the efforts of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in apprehending the suspect, Sayid Ali Moalin Haji Daoud, as he attempted to evade capture in the Mudug region. His arrest comes in the wake of a tragic murder that shocked the community in Mogadishu, where Daoud is accused of fatally burning his pregnant wife, Luul Abdiaziz, in a distressing act of domestic violence.
"In the wake of the reported arrest this week of a man wanted for allegedly setting his wife on fire, the UN in Somalia welcomes the commitment of Somali authorities to investigate and prosecute gender-based violence and urges continuing steps to ensure that perpetrators of all such crimes are held accountable. It also extends its condolences to the victim's family."
Luul Abdiaziz's murder has ignited widespread outrage and a demand for justice, not only from her grieving family but also from a community grappling with the realities of domestic violence. Abdiaziz, a respected worker at Aden Adde Airport and a mother of six, was tragically killed in the home she shared with her husband in the Dharkeenley district of Mogadishu in late January. Neighbours heard her cries and attempted to save her. Her death sparked calls for justice and an end to gender-based violence.
The Mayor of Mogadishu, Yusuf Hussein Jimale Madale, has announced his administration's commitment to support Luul's orphaned children.
Her husband, Daoud, managed to elude immediate capture, leading to a sweeping manhunt that concluded with his arrest in a forest hideout in the country's central regions. Following his capture, Daoud was transported back to Mogadishu, where he is expected to face trial for his alleged crime.