‘No food, no charges’: Family demands release of Kenyan teacher held in Las'aanod, Somalia

The family of a Kenyan teacher detained in Somalia has expressed concern over his continued incarceration and alleged mistreatment by authorities in Las'aanod, a town in the northern Sool region.

The teacher, Hassan Osman Mohamed Qasim, is being held under the administration of the newly formed North Eastern State of Somalia, formerly known as SSC-Khaatumo.

Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ali Ifiye, confirmed that Hassan was arrested without due process and is currently being held in harsh conditions.

According to the minister, Hassan has recently been denied food, and his health has significantly deteriorated during his detention.

In a post on his Facebook account, the deputy minister urged Las'aanod authorities to release the teacher unconditionally.

“I have been informed that he has been denied food and is currently in poor health. I urge all security agencies, local authorities, and all relevant stakeholders to take urgent action and ensure the teacher is granted his freedom,” he said.

Local political rivalries

The deputy minister’s statement has heightened fears among Hassan’s family and friends, who believe he is caught up in local political and personal rivalries. Relatives say Hassan has faced repeated harassment and multiple arrests since relocating to Las'aanod to work as an educator.

Originally from Wajir County in northeastern Kenya, Hassan began teaching in Las'aanod several years ago.

He eventually rose to become the principal of a prestigious school owned by the family of a senior Somali government official.

Under his leadership, the school earned a strong reputation for academic excellence and became one of the top-performing institutions in the region.

New school

However, on October 10, 2024, Hassan chose to leave his position and establish his own school. The new institution quickly attracted a large student population and began competing with the school owned by his former employers.

According to his family, Hassan resisted pressure to remain at his previous job. His decision to start a rival school reportedly sparked tensions, prompting a campaign of intimidation allegedly orchestrated by influential figures in the local administration.

His family claims this campaign included multiple arrests by local police, carried out under the orders of powerful individuals.

“He has not committed any crime. He is just an educator who wanted to start his own school,” said a close relative. “We believe he is being punished for refusing to comply with demands made by people who see him as a threat.”

Local civil society organisations and community leaders have joined calls for Hassan’s release, warning that detaining teachers and professionals for political or personal reasons threatens educational progress and undermines the rule of law.