Human Rights Centre Condemns the Killing of Unarmed Protesters in Borama

The Human Rights Centre strongly condemns the use of live ammunition against civilian protesters in Borama, Awdal region, by Somaliland security forces, which resulted in the deaths of 17 unarmed civilians and injuries to more than 50 others.

On the night of Thursday, 4 December 2025, residents of Borama took to the streets after the government announced it had reversed an earlier decision to suspend the Xeer Ciise festivities scheduled to take place in Saylac, Awdal region. The protesters opposed the holding of the event and gathered to express their concerns.

Eyewitness testimonies and video footage reviewed by the Human Rights Centre show that security forces used excessive force against the demonstrators, including the firing of live rounds such as AK-47s. The military was also deployed inside the city and directly involved in suppressing the protest.

“It is shocking to see the military deployed in the city and using force against civilians. In a democracy, you do not use such force to tackle demonstrators, even if they start rioting,” said Yasmin Omar Haji Mohamoud, Chairperson of the Human Rights Centre Somaliland.

The president, in a speech delivered on Friday, confirmed the deployment of the military and ordered their withdrawal from the streets.

The Human Rights Centre calls on the government of Somaliland to immediately cease the use of excessive force against unarmed civilians and to uphold citizens’ right to peaceful expression. We further urge the government to launch an independent investigation into the events in Borama and to hold all those responsible accountable.

Yasmin Omar H. Mohamoud
Chairperson of the Human Rights Center

Hargeisa, Somaliland
hrcsomaliland@gmail.com
Twitter: @hrcsomaliland