Statement on the death of Elder Omar Abdullahi Abdi

Omar Abdullahi Abdi was a father and grandfather, a renowned peacemaker and clan leader, and an active member of the traditional elders of Sanaag, the Highlands, and Eastern Bari in Puntland and across Somalia.

He devoted his life to peacebuilding and reconciliation, frequently mediating disputes among communities whose members suffered death and displacement during the civil war and in ongoing intercommunal violence.

Omar consistently led and supported peace initiatives. In June of this year, when clashes in Durera resulted in eleven deaths, he was at the forefront the coordinator of the elders dispatched to facilitate reconciliation. He also established peace innitiative programs to assist people displaced from Erigavo during the conflict between armed conflicts of local militias, which forced almost 43000 people to leave thier homes. Omar working to enable their safe and dignified return home with other traditonal leaders.

He served as a member of a high-level delegation of traditional elders from these regions that travelled to Puntland and, in August, met repeatedly with the President of Puntland and the Speaker of the Parliament to discuss peace and stability the region following clashes in Dhahar city, that claimed six lives, as well us development projects of these regions to enhance community empowerment.

Peace in these regions remains fragile, traditional leaders have been the principal source of local leadership and reconciliation, and Omar was consistently among those leading and coordinating those efforts.

On Saturday, 13 September 2025, Chief Omar was killed in an airstrike near Badhan, Sanaag. On 17 September 2025, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) issued a statement saying that, in coordination with the federal government of Somalia, it had conducted an airstrike near Badhan targeting an alleged arms dealer linked to Al-Shabaab, the statement did not provide names or further details.

Local sources identified the casualty as Elder Caqil Omar, who was traveling alone in his Toyota RAV from Elbuh to Badhan and was killed near the village of Urur & Jiicanyo. The organization linked to the strike — Al-Shaban — officially stated that it had no knowledge of the elder or of the peacemaker who was killed.

To our knowledge, Omar had never been arrested, charged, or investigated for any crime by regional, national, or federal authorities in Somalia. There is no record of any inquiry implicating him in criminal activity. His death has left many in the Somali community deeply distressed and has raised serious concerns about the protection of civilians, community leaders, and peacebuilders in a country already devastated by civil war, poverty, corruption, and extrajudicial violence.

Omar was known for his commitment to peace, stability, reconciliation, and community rebuilding. He was a man of dignity and principle who believed in nonviolence and sought to reconcile people in conflict. We maintain his presumption of innocence and demand a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances of his death.

The community requires clear answers, who killed Elder Omar, why he was killed, and what evidence if any justifies this act. We call on regional, federal, and international authorities, free media and human rights activists to ensure accountability and to take all necessary measures to find justice for Chief Omar, protect civilians and community leaders.