Guudey Mohamed Geedi, a prominent actor and father of 11, was tragically shot dead shortly after finishing his role in a film that warned against the devastating cycle of clan revenge killings. The haunting tagline of the short film, Aano Qabiil (“Clan Vengeance”), “No man avenged has ever risen from the grave,” has now become eerily prophetic.
Aano Qabiil was designed to raise awareness of the futility of clan vendettas, often spanning generations and resulting in senseless deaths. The film centers on a teashop owner whose life is threatened by a rival clan, with Geedi portraying a character who desperately tries to prevent an innocent person from being killed.
Sadly, the film’s grim message became reality when Geedi was murdered in his own village. Shortly after filming wrapped, Geedi traveled to visit family in the rural town of Warsheikh, about 150 kilometers from the capital, Mogadishu. There, tensions between two sub-clans escalated, leading to his death. Geedi was shot in November 2024 in a long-standing family feud, with no arrests made.
Geedi’s killing mirrors his character’s tragic fate in the film, where violence spirals out of control after a small dispute between rival clans. His friend, Adaawe, who requested his first name only, remarked, “There was no director to yell ‘cut’ when he died. There was no one to plead for his life.”
The film’s director, Abdisiyaad Abdullhai Mohamed, spoke to the BBC about the deep impact of Geedi’s untimely death. “Guudey wasn’t just an actor; he was crucial to the film’s message. His belief in the project was evident throughout. He understood firsthand the harm caused by clan violence.”
Aano Qabiil tells the story of two friends, Ali and Salah, from different sub-clans, who run a teashop in Bal’ad. Their lives are disrupted by a violent clan feud, and the story follows how their friendship is torn apart as each is killed in an endless cycle of revenge. The film’s tragic ending depicts clansmen gleefully over the dead bodies of Ali and Salah, signaling the hollow satisfaction that comes from perpetuating violence.
Abdisiyaad explained his motivation: “I wanted to show the personal cost of hearing that someone has been killed due to clan violence. Every time we hear about these deaths, we forget to think about the families left behind, the futures destroyed.”
Somali clan identity runs deep, and feuds often stem from long-standing disputes over resources or even personal grudges. While historically clan-related killings were mostly confined to rural areas, recent years have seen an alarming spread of such violence to urban centers.
In 2023, PeaceRep reported a worrying trend of clan revenge killings extending into central Somali cities. Local organizations like Somali Peace Line documented over 160 clan-related murders in a single year, with the vast majority going unpunished, further fueling the cycle of violence.
Geedi’s death has sparked widespread reaction across Somali social media, with his image and clips from Aano Qabiil going viral, reminding people of the film’s central message. Mohamed, the director, said, “Guudey gave his life to spread a message. Revenge doesn’t end violence; it only leads to more death and pain. I hope society learns from his sacrifice.”
The film, initially intended as a cautionary tale, now serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive power of clan vengeance, a legacy that continues to haunt Somali society.