At Risk for Doing Good: The Story of Abdishakour Gulled in Conflict-Affected Somalia

By: Daud 

IIn regions destabilized by terrorism and entrenched clan rivalries, humanitarian work is fraught with serious risks. Aid workers, healthcare providers, and even business professionals often operate under constant threat. Deep-rooted social and political tensions not only hinder humanitarian access but also endanger the very individuals committed to creating positive change.

GAROWE, Somalia — Abdishakour Gulled, a respected humanitarian worker and public health advocate affiliated with a major international NGO, has gone into hiding after surviving two assassination attempts linked to escalating clan-based violence in Puntland.

Gulled, well-known throughout the region for his dedication to improving public health outcomes, has become a target solely due to his clan affiliation — a grim reflection of Somalia’s ongoing struggle with entrenched clan rivalries that frequently result in collective punishment and cyclical violence.

According to local sources, two businessmen from a minority clan were killed during a routine exchange of goods involving livestock rural area near Qardho Town. In retaliation, members of the minority clan killed two individuals and wounded another from the rival clan. The perpetrators fled the scene, highlighting the ongoing challenges of law enforcement and justice in the region, as reported in interviews conducted by GaroweSpot.

On the evening of May 18, 2025, Abdishakour Gulled was at his home in Israac Village, Garowe, when two armed men forcibly entered his compound. His maternal uncle, Osman Hussein, who was sitting near the gate listening to the radio, confronted the intruders but was fatally shot during the attack. Gulled narrowly escaped and sought refuge at a friend’s nearby home, where he remained in hiding until May 20, he told GaroweSpot.

Seeking safety, Gulled relocated to Mogadishu on May 21. However, on June 4, armed assailants again targeted his temporary residence, injuring his aunt and forcing him to flee once more. Gulled attributes these attacks solely to his minority clan background, emphasizing that he has never been involved in violence or political disputes, he told GaroweSpot.

“I believe I was targeted because of my clan background. In Somalia, people are often targeted simply because of their clan. There is no justice or protection for people like us,” Gulled said.

Currently living in hiding and in fear for his life, Gulled urgently calls for international protection and assistance to safeguard himself and others caught in the crossfire of Somalia’s complex clan conflicts.

This case highlights the perilous environment faced by humanitarian workers operating in Somalia, where deep-rooted clan animosities and the threat of terrorism pose significant risks not only to peace and stability but also to those dedicated to humanitarian and development efforts.

As GaroweSpot’s policy prohibits mentioning specific clan or tribe names, we refer to groups based on characteristics such as minority, majority, small, or large, among others, and etc.