The children of former Somali dictator Siad Barre are living in Columbus, Ohio, decades after his regime was accused of widespread human rights abuses and atrocities, according to a report by the New York Post.
Barre’s son, Ayanle, 61, and daughter, Deka Mohamed Siad, 69, reportedly moved to the United States after their father was overthrown in 1991. Their presence in Ohio has sparked anger among members of the Somali-American community, particularly those whose families were affected by Barre’s rule.
Siad Barre ruled Somalia for around 21 years after taking power in a military coup in 1969. His government faced allegations of severe repression, including torture, killings and attacks against civilians. The military campaign against the Isaaq clan in northern Somalia became particularly notorious and has been described by rights groups and researchers as involving mass atrocities.
Members of the Somali community in Ohio told the Post that seeing members of Barre’s family living freely in the United States was deeply painful. Some alleged that the family had never been held accountable for the actions associated with the former regime.
Ali-Guban Mohamed, who said members of his family were killed during Barre’s rule, criticised the situation and called for greater scrutiny. He said many survivors continue to carry the trauma of what happened during the dictatorship.
The allegations against Barre’s forces include the destruction of towns, aerial bombardment, attacks on civilians and the widespread use of landmines. The violence forced many Somalis to flee the country, including people who later sought refuge in the United States.
According to the report, Ayanle has maintained a relatively low-profile life in a Columbus suburb. He has previously been associated with businesses and organisations serving the Somali community, including a translation services company and a nonprofit organisation.
He has also been linked to Halwa Kismay Coffee, a business offering traditional Somali food and confectionery. It remains unclear what his current employment status is.
Deka has also lived in Ohio with her late husband, Abdikarim Ali Omar, a former Somali ambassador. The couple operated Vanguard Home Health Care, which reportedly received more than $1.8 million in Medicare funding before Omar died in January 2021.
The report said the company appeared to have operated legitimately and eventually ceased operations following Omar’s death.
Deka is also described as an active participant in Somali community events in Columbus, where she has reportedly spoken at various gatherings.
Columbus has one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, making the presence of Barre’s family particularly sensitive for survivors and their descendants.
Some community members have called on US authorities to examine the family’s history and immigration status. However, the allegations against the former dictator do not automatically establish criminal responsibility for his children.
Neither Ayanle nor Deka responded to requests for comment from the New York Post, according to the report.
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