How a court in Gaalkacyo resolved the case of a boy disputed by his father, and why DNA was not taken

How a court in Gaalkacyo resolved the case of a boy whose father was disputed, and why DNA was not taken

A court in Somalia has ruled in favor of one of two men who both claimed to be the father of a 16-year-old boy. This matter has been a long-standing dispute related to violence that resulted in deaths.

According to local media, seven people were killed, and 21 others were injured in violence stemming from the dispute between the two families.

This decision was announced on Tuesday in Gaalkacyo by a committee of three Islamic scholars appointed by the Puntland administration.

The judges ruled that Liibaan Tahliil Xaaji Aadan is the father of the boy, rejecting the claim of Faarax Cawaale Cali, who stated that he had been raising the boy for 13 years.

Both men stated that they accepted the decision.

This case, which has been widely discussed in Somalia, focused on the testimony of the boy's mother, Xaliimo Yuusuf Maxamed, and the circumstances surrounding her marriages to both men.

During the three-day hearing, Xaliimo told the court that she married Liibaan in July 2006, before separating four years later.

She stated that later she married Faarax in October 2010, and their marriage ended in 2013.

Xaliimo insisted that Liibaan is the father of her son, and that Faarax did not father any children with her.

Two witnesses also testified that they were present at her marriage to Liibaan in 2006.

Liban told the judges that Halimo informed him that she was pregnant at the time they separated in July 2010.