Mogadishu (WDN) – The tragic death of General Sheegow, once a pillar in Somalia’s security apparatus and a symbol of the country’s fight against terrorism, particularly in lower Shabelle region, has sparked outrage and grief across the nation. While the government looked the other way, abandoning him to battle liver cancer in the final days of his life, many are left asking the painful question: Why was General Sheegow never formally charged or tried in an independent court, not the kangaroo courts of Mogadishu?

For months, Sheegow had been fighting a quiet battle with liver cancer, a disease that was allowed to advance unchecked after his initial diagnosis of hepatitis. His condition deteriorated severely, and despite pleas from family and colleagues, he was left to suffer, trapped in a system that had long since turned its back on him.

Although the general had been a crucial figure in Somalia’s security efforts, particularly in the fight against Al-Shabaab in Bariirre of lower Shabelle region, the government showed little concern for his deteriorating health. In the final days of his life, when the disease had ravaged his body beyond hope, the government finally took the ailing general to Digfeer Hospital. However, this belated action did little to ease his suffering or give him the care he deserved. The decision, many believe, was nothing more than an attempt to save face as protests and growing anger against the government’s neglect intensified.

Sheegow’s death represents a bitter reminder of Somalia’s disregard for those who once served at the frontlines. The government’s failure to treat General Sheegow with the dignity he deserved—never formally charging him or providing a fair trial—has left a sour taste in the mouths of many who now question the country’s commitment to justice and human rights. He was left to die without ever receiving the fair process that he, like any citizen, was entitled to. The same system that once heralded him as a hero now condemned him to neglect, subverting any notion of accountability for his role in Somalia’s security struggles.

As funeral arrangements are underway, Sheegow’s family has yet to receive any official communication from the federal government. Villa Somalia has issued no condolences, and the absence of even a formal acknowledgment from the authorities further deepens the wound of neglect. Sheegow’s loved ones, who have already endured so much, are now left to mourn in silence, deprived of the dignity and respect they deserve.

As news of Sheegow’s passing spreads, speculation has grown about the potential for public demonstrations in Mogadishu. There is mounting anger over the government’s inhumane treatment of those who sacrificed their lives and wellbeing to protect Somalia. Sheegow’s case, seen by many as emblematic of the broader issues plaguing Somalia’s treatment of its veterans, is expected to be a rallying cry for citizens demanding justice.

This event raises yet another painful question: Why did the government choose to keep General Sheegow in prison rather than seek a fair trial for him in an independent court? Why was he left in the shadows of unjust, politically motivated courts in Mogadishu instead of given a chance for a proper defense? Was this simply another instance of Somalia’s authorities choosing expediency over justice? The unanswered questions remain as his legacy is now one defined not by his service, but by his abandonment.

The death of General Sheegow leaves a hole in Somalia’s heart, but it also casts a spotlight on the deep wounds in a government that has, for far too long, neglected the very individuals who have given everything for the country’s future.

This is a developing story.

— Reporting from Mogadishu with contributions from WardheerNews correspondents in Jowhar and Beledweyne.