Press Release
Breaking News from Somalia
Date: 12 October 2025
Location: Afgooye, Somalia
Sheikh Mukhtar Robow, also recognized as Abu Mansur, was born on 10 October 1969 and is a significant figure in Somali history. He has previously held positions as the deputy leader and spokesman for the militant organization Al-Shabaab.
Affiliations:
- Al-Itihaad Al-Islamiya (1991–1996)
- Islamic Courts Union (2004–2006)
- Al-Shabaab (2006–2015)
Robow began his political journey as a member of Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya and subsequently joined the Islamic Courts Union. He emerged as the spokesman for Al-Shabaab during the insurgency against Ethiopian military occupation in 2007. In 2015, due to ideological differences, he defected from Al-Shabaab and spent several years in seclusion in his hometown. In 2022, he was appointed Minister of Religious Affairs in the Federal Government of Somalia.
Currently, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali is facing serious allegations concerning an assassination attempt on Ismail Ahmed Aden, a staff member of the World Health Organizationfrom Sweden. Aden was shot 19 times yet remarkably survived the ordeal.
Baraawe Human Rights Protection, in partnership with various Somali civil society organizations, has undertaken a thorough investigation into the events surrounding this assassination attempt and has released a comprehensive report detailing their findings.
As the Minister of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow is also sought by Swedish authorities to address legal charges against him.
International journalists, news agencies, and human rights advocates are urged to lend their support to this initiative for justice.
Issued by:
Baraawe Human Rights Protection
Communication Office
Afgooye, Somalia
info@baraawehr.org
In collaboration with Somali Civil Society Groups.
