The Somali music industry has been struck by tragedy following the sudden death of Safwaan Xasan Aadan, better known as Safwaan Halac, a young singer whose voice and character had begun to touch thousands. He died in a car accident in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, on the road known as Labada Boqol.
Three other passengers traveling with him sustained injuries when the luxury car overturned, hospital officials confirmed. His body now rests at Hargeisa General Hospital, where arrangements for his burial are under way.
A Night of Music, Followed by Tragedy
Only hours before the crash, Safwaan had shared the stage with fellow singer Cabdiraxmaan Muuse Dhamac (Cabdi Yare) in a concert in Hargeisa. Speaking to the BBC, Cabdi Yare described his shock:
“He was the one who drove me home after the show. Not long after I got out of the car, I heard he had been in an accident. It is painful to lose a friend I was with only hours before.”
Friends and colleagues remembered him as a humble, soft-spoken, and well-mannered young man. “He was a man of character, someone who avoided conflict, always respectful,” Cabdi Yare added.
Life Between Two Worlds: Europe and Home
Safwaan spent nearly a decade living in Europe—first in Sweden, where he struggled for years without residency papers, and later in Ireland, where he finally received legal status in 2023.
His move to Ireland marked a turning point. It allowed him to travel freely and reconnect with his homeland after many years apart. Just three months before his death, he had returned to Hargeisa to reunite with his mother, siblings, and old friends.
In a recent interview, he reflected on his time abroad:
“When you first go to Europe, you imagine beauty and opportunity. But after the first impressions, reality sets in—endless paperwork, struggles for documents, and survival. I went through difficult times in Sweden, but when I moved to Ireland, God opened the doors for me. Once I got my papers, I immediately returned to Hargeisa to see my family.”
A Gentle Soul in the World of Music
Those who knew him closely describe him as a modest and shy artist, someone whose humility made even skeptics of Somali music fall in love with the art form.
His long-time friend Cabdirisaaq Xaamud Caydiid (Jeylaani), who lived with him in Ireland, said:
“If you disliked music but met Safwaan, you would learn to love it. He was so soft-hearted, shy to the point that he could barely hold eye contact. Yet his character made everyone around him feel safe.”
Safwaan began his music journey in 2014, joining a new wave of young artists emerging from Hargeisa. His unique voice and natural talent quickly set him apart, promising a bright future.
A Community in Mourning
The news of his death has shaken the Somali music community. Fellow artists such as Qamar Suugaani, a close friend and contemporary, expressed their grief on social media, calling his passing “a shocking loss.”
For his family, the tragedy is immeasurable. Plans are under way to lay him to rest in Hargeisa, the city where he grew up and first discovered his gift for music.
Who Was Safwaan Halac?
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Birthplace: Berbera, Somaliland (raised in Hargeisa).
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Education: Completed primary, middle, and secondary school in Hargeisa; began university before turning fully to music.
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Music Career: Entered the scene in 2014, known for his soulful voice and promise as one of the new generation’s rising stars.
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Life Abroad: Spent nearly ten years in Europe—first Sweden, later Ireland where he secured residency.
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Return Home: Came back to Somaliland in 2025 to reunite with family after years abroad.
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Death: Passed away in a car accident in Hargeisa, August 2025.
A Bright Light Extinguished
Safwaan Halac’s journey was just beginning to flourish when tragedy struck. To many, he represented the struggles and dreams of a generation of Somali youth living between homeland and diaspora.
His humility, artistry, and resilience made him stand out—not just as a singer but as a human being whose character touched everyone around him.
Today, as he is laid to rest, the Somali music world remembers him not only for his voice but also for his heart.
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