Young man in Berbera sets himself on fire over love dispute

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Saturday March 15, 2025

A fire emergency response vehicle arrives at the scene as a crowd gathers outside

Mogadishu (HOL) — A young man in Berbera set himself on fire Friday after an apparent romantic dispute, suffering severe burns before emergency responders put out the flames, authorities and witnesses said.

The man, identified as Mohamed Jama Gahnug, reportedly poured fuel over himself and ignited it after the woman he was in love with repeatedly ignored his phone calls. The incident occurred in the Shacabka neighbourhood of Berbera, where residents were shocked.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and extinguished the flames before transferring Gahnug to Hargeisa for urgent medical treatment. His current condition remains unclear, and authorities have yet to release a statement on the incident.

The tragic act has drawn comparisons to Elmo Boodhari, the legendary Somali poet who lived in Berbera and became a symbol of unrequited love in the 1930s. Boodhari, often called the "Father of Somali Love Poetry," became widely known for his heartbreaking verses after failing to win the love of Hodan Abdulle Walanwal, a woman from a wealthier family.

His poetry, which includes lines such as "The shadow has fallen, and sleep escapes me—oh, what has deprived me of rest?" has remained a cornerstone of Somali literature. Boodhari is believed to have died of heartbreak in 1941, and his grave in Berbera has since become a symbol of tragic romance.

Gahnug's self-immolation has reignited discussions about Berbera's association with sorrowful love stories.

"This is where Boodhari's story ended; now, another young man follows in his footsteps. What is it about Berbera and love?" one resident remarked.

Authorities have not yet released further details on the victim's condition.

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