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Woman touches hearts for her honesty as she hands over plot she took care of for 34 years

Maimuna Abdullahi Mohamud, an elderly Somali mother, has captured the attention of many as she searched for the rightful owner of a plot of land in Mogadishu, Somalia she has diligently cared for over the past 34 years.

By Abdirahman Khalif | 05 May 2024

Gaciye, a police officer from the Marehan clan, recognised the danger his clan faced and asked Maimuna to safeguard his plot in his absence before fleeing.

In a heartwarming display of integrity and honesty, Maimuna Abdullahi Mohamud, an elderly Somali mother, has captured the attention of many as she searched for the rightful owner of a plot of land in Mogadishu, Somalia she has diligently cared for over the past 34 years.

Maimuna, in a video circulating on social media, recounts her neighbour, only known as Gaciye, who entrusted her with the care of his property in Mogadishu's Ex-Control Area before fleeing the city amid the outbreak of civil war in 1990.

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Gaciye, a police officer from the Marehan clan, recognised the danger his clan faced and asked Maimuna to safeguard his plot in his absence before fleeing.

However, Gaciye did not return and nobody from his family came to claim the property.

Maimuna remained faithful to her promise for over three decades amid the turmoil that engulfed Somalia,

She tended to the plot while hoping that one day Gaciye or his family would come to take back their plot.

Maimuna says she could not locate him as his friends and other men who were working with Gaciye were killed while others fled.

"He was Marehan and I only know him as Gaciye, please help me find him," she pleaded.

Facing the uncertainty of her health as she was set to undergo surgery, Maimuna's concern was ensuring the plot returned to its rightful owner.

Fulfilling promise

Aware of the possibility that she may not survive the surgery, she has tasked her children with continuing the search for Gaciye, emphasising the importance of fulfilling the promise she made decades ago.

"I have instructed my children to keep on looking for Gaciye in case I don't survive and die," said Maimuna.

The emotional plea from Maimuna in the video resonated with viewers as her video went viral as they could not believe the dedication and honesty of Maimuna.

On TikTok where the video was first posted, it gained over half a million views with over 3,000 comments all praising her for her honesty.

Her kindness in protecting the land for that long despite challenges has moved lots of people, showing the importance of honesty.

It was common for others to take up plots and properties that were left behind by the people who flew Mogadishu after the civil war broke out.

However, Maimuna chooses honesty and keeps the plot until the owner or his family shows up.

After Maimuna's first video went viral, she shared another video on Sunday saying that Gaciye's children had contacted her.

After over 34 years of keeping the plot safe, Maimuna is finally expected to hand over the plot to the children of Gaciye.