The Somali government's attempt to introduce a law setting the minimum marriage age at 18 has sparked nationwide controversy and was overturned just 24 hours after its passing.

The short-lived law, which aimed to protect young girls from child marriage, was initially celebrated by human rights activists and women’s organizations as a major step forward for gender equality and children’s rights in the Horn of Africa nation.

However, the decision quickly sparked backlash from sections of the Somali male population, including community elders and religious leaders, who argued that the law contradicted their cultural and religious traditions.

In a video circulating online, an elderly man, reportedly around 72 years of age, publicly expressed his disagreement with the new legislation while crying his eyes out.

The elderly man’s emotional reaction went viral on Somali social media, where he lamented that the law would “destroy tradition” and prevent older men from marrying younger women, a practice still prevalent in some parts of the country.

Watch the video below

This is 73 years old Somali man crying after the government raised the minimum marriage age to 18 years. 💔 https://t.co/lucwsxWciS pic.twitter.com/zvxQGRu1Yt

— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) October 8, 2025