Garowe, Puntland, Somalia – Puntland NGO Network (PUNTNGO), the umbrella body representing registered local non-governmental and non-profit organizations in Puntland, expresses its deep concern over the recent attack on Ms. Marian Mohamed Hussein, Co-Founder of Hawa Feminist Coalition and an active member of PUNTNGO’s Gender Justice Coordination Group, on May 19, 2026.
Ms. Marian is a respected advocate for women’s rights, gender equality, and the prevention of gender-based violence in Somalia. As a frontline civil society leader, her contributions to promoting human rights and civic engagement have been widely recognized.
PUNTNGO stands in solidarity with Hawa Feminist Coalition, one of its active member organizations, and with Ms. Marian during this difficult time. Violence, intimidation, or threats against civil society actors and human rights defenders undermine civic space and weaken efforts to promote peace, justice, and inclusive development.
We respectfully call upon the relevant authorities in Puntland to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the incident, ensure accountability in accordance with the law, and take appropriate measures to guarantee the safety and protection of Ms. Marian and all civil society actors carrying out their legitimate work.
PUNTNGO also encourages community leaders, religious leaders, media, and all stakeholders to promote respectful dialogue, reject violence and incitement, and support an environment where civil society organizations and human rights defenders can contribute peacefully to the development of Puntland and Somalia.
We wish Ms. Marian a full and speedy recovery and reaffirm PUNTNGO’s commitment to protecting civic space, strengthening civil society, and advancing the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all people in Puntland.
Puntland NGO Network (PUNTNGO)
Garowe, Puntland, Somalia
