Public Outrage in Somalia After Missing Eight-Year-Old Found Living With Man Claiming to Be Her Husband
An eight-year-old girl missing for six months has been found in the home of a man who says he married her with her father's consent, sparking outrage and renewed debate over child protection laws in Somalia.
A wave of public anger has swept across Somalia after an eight-year-old girl, missing for half a year, was discovered living with an adult man in the Carmo area of Puntland, who claimed to be her husband.
The child had vanished from her home in Bosaso last September. According to her family, she was taken by a female relative who said she was taking the girl to visit another uncle. The family later learned the girl had not returned and began searching for her—though it's unclear why they delayed the search.
The case drew attention after a video surfaced online showing the girl reciting the Quran. Her family eventually tracked her down to a house where Sheikh Mahmoud, the man in question, was living with her.
When authorities arrived, Mahmoud locked himself in a room with the girl. Puntland security forces forced their way in and rescued the child on March 25, following a complaint from her family.
Sheikh Mahmoud initially claimed he was simply teaching the girl the Quran. But after legal pressure mounted, he admitted he had married the child—with the father’s permission. He justified the marriage by citing Islamic traditions and the Shafi'i school of thought, which he claimed allows child marriage. Despite pushback from Somali Islamic scholars and human rights advocates, Mahmoud insisted he would not end the marriage.
The girl has since been reunited with her family. Puntland officials have confirmed an investigation is underway.
The incident has sparked protests in Mogadishu and a flood of condemnation on Somali social media. Rights groups, including the Somali Women Vision Organisation, have expressed deep concern.
"More shocking than the tragedy itself are the allegations of abduction, and the fact that her family didn’t know where she was for months," said Fadumo Ahmed, the organisation’s chairperson. "We trust the responsible institutions to act swiftly and appropriately."
Child marriage remains a major issue in Somalia. According to a 2020 report by the UN Population Fund and Somali authorities, 35% of women aged 20–24 were married before 18. In 2017, that number was 45%. The practice is fueled by poverty, insecurity, and traditional norms that often disregard age in marital arrangements.
Somalia's Ministry of Women and Human Rights submitted a draft child rights bill to parliament in 2023, which would establish a legal minimum age for marriage. However, the bill was rejected due to objections from some MPs. While it is expected to be reintroduced, no clear timeline has been given.
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