The Immam of Borama's Grand Mosque, Sheikh Mohamed S. Tawir said he worked with Annalena Tonelli on an anti FGM campaign. He added, “We became good friends during the campaign, and occasionally, I used to travel with her to rural areas to educate people on the problems faced by girls undergoing the mutilation of their most sensitive parts. I also preached to worshippers during the Juma (Friday) sermons about how the FGM practices were un-Islamic.”

Run Hadi, a singer from Borama, who used to work with Annalena Tonelli on raising public awareness with regard to the eradication of female genital mutilation habits, said: “I worked with her for 3 years on an anti FGM campaign. After hearing about her death, I just couldn’t help but keep crying for days.”

Somaliland's Vice President, Ahmed Yusuf Yassin, said, “The muder of Annalena Tonelli has shocked and angered every Somalilander. On behalf of the government and people of Somaliland, I sincerely wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the relatives and friends of Annalena Tonelli, and to the government and people of Italy, on this terrible loss.”


Sheikh Ibrahim Yusuf Sheikh Madar, Chairman of Somaliland's House of Elders (Upper House of Parliament) had this to say: “What had happened is alien to our culture and religion. We had all been violated.”


Somaliland's Interior Minister, Ismail A. Osman, said, “We will not rest until we lay our hands on the real criminal or whoever was behind this heinous crime.”

Somaliland's planning Minister, Ahmed H. Dahir, said: “Today Somaliland is in grief due to the loss of Annalena Tonelli.”


Mourners observed one minute of silence in tribute to Annalena Tonelli.
 

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