Ministry of Justice (Somaliland)

Republic of Somaliland
Ministry of Justice
Wasaarada Caddaalada
Ministry overview
Formed1991 (1991)
JurisdictionSomaliland
HeadquartersHargeisa, Maroodi Jeh
Minister responsible
Websitewww.slmoj.org

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic Somaliland (Somali: Wasaaradda Caddaalada Somaliland) (Arabic: وزارة العدل) administers the court system (with the exception of the Supreme Court) and has the authority to hire court personnel, allocate funds, and train, discipline or dismiss judicial officers.[1][2] According to Articles 7 and 38 of the Organisation of the Judiciary Law, the ministry even compiles a panel of assessors on an annual basis for the regional courts. Additionally, the ministry is a member of the Judicial Commission.[3] The current minister is Mustafe Mohamoud Ali[4]

Responsibilities

More so, the objectives of the ministry are as follows per Article 105 of the Constitution:[5]

  • Uphold and promote the rule of law in Somaliland;
  • Respect and promote the separation of powers as contemplated in the Constitution, whilst taking into account the normal checks and balances of governmental branches;
  • Promote and maintain an effective, efficient, transparent and accountable criminal justice system;
  • Coordinate, facilitate and promote the general provision of and access to legal services in Somaliland;
  • Take leadership in coordinating the progressive realization of rights and freedoms contemplated in the Constitution;
  • Cooperate and support other role players, whilst respecting their specific mandates and, where applicable, their independence.

List of ministers

Image English (Nickname) Somali Term Start Term End
Ahmed Ismail Abdi (Duqsi) Axmed Ismaciil Cabdi (Duqsi) 1991[6] 1993[6]
Abdillahi Gireh Robleh Cabdullaahi Giire Rooble 1993[6] 1997[6]
Abdillahi Omaw Qawdan May 1999[7]
Ahmed Hassan Caafi Axmed Xasan Caafi March 2002[8]
Abdihamid Garad Jama Cabdihamiid Garaad Jaamac March 2002[8] November 2002[9]
Ahmed Hassan Ali (Asowe) Axmed Xasan Cali (Casoowe) November 2002[9], July 2003[10] March 2010[11]
Adan Ahmed Elmi (Dolayare) Aadan Axmed Cilmi (Dhoolla-yare) March 2010[11] October 2010[12]
Ismail Mumin Are Ismaaciil Muumin Aare October 2010[12][13] June 2011
Hussein Ahmed Aideed Xuseen Axmed Caydiid June 2011 October 2015[14]
Ahmed Farah Adarre Axmed Faarax Cadare October 2015[15] December 2017
Abdiqani Mohamoud Ateye Cabdiqani Maxamuud Caateeye December 2017[16][17] March 2019[18]
Abdirisaq Ali Abdi Salah Cabdirisaaq Cali Cabdi Saalax March 2019[18] December 2019[19]
Mustafe Mohamoud Ali(Godane) Mustafe Maxamuud Cali Bile December 2019[19] January 2021[20]
Saleban Warsame Guled Saleebaan Warsame Guuleed January 2021[20] December 2024
Yonis Ahmed Yonis Muhammed Yoonis Axmed Yoonis December 2024[21] Incumbent

See also

References

  1. ^ "THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN SOMALILAND: Workshop Report". April 2002.
  2. ^ "The State of the Judiciary in Somaliland" (PDF). Horizon Institute. June 2016.
  3. ^ "Research Guide to the Somaliland Legal System - GlobaLex". www.nyulawglobal.org. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
  4. ^ "Wasiirka Cusub ee Wasaaradda Cadaaladda ee Somaliland Md. Mustafe Cali Bile Oo Deegaanada Bariga Gobolka Sanaag Ugu Awood Sheegtay Guddoomiye Dhoobo-Daareed Iyo Taageerayaasha Maamul-Goboleedka Puntland" (in Somali). 7 December 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Prison Health Coordinator » Connecting Diaspora for Development". Connecting Diaspora for Development. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
  6. ^ a b c d "Magacyada Golihii Wasiirada ee ugu Horeeyey ee Somaliland 1991 iyo kuwii 1993" [Names of the earliest Somaliland cabinets of ministers from 1991 and those of 1993]. Wargane News (in Somali). 24 December 2020. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  7. ^ "Egal rings the changes in Somaliland cabinet". The New Humanitarian. 25 May 1999. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Cabinet reshuffle in Somaliland". The New Humanitarian. 7 March 2002. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  9. ^ a b "Isku shaandhayn golaha wasiirada" [Cabinet reshuffle]. Haatuf (in Somali). 11 November 2002. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Hargeysa: Madaxweynaha Somaliland ayaa shalay dhamaystiray dhismaha xukuumadiisa cusub" [Hargeisa: Somaliland president completes the formation of his new government]. Haatuf (in Somali). 4 July 2003. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  11. ^ a b "Isku shaandheynta Somaliland" [Somaliland cabinet reshuffle]. BBC Somali (in Somali). 23 March 2010. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  12. ^ a b "Raxan Wasiirada Xukuumada Cusub Oo Maanta Xilkii La Wareegay Iyo Dareenka Ka Dhashay Xil Wareejinta Maaliyada Oo Saxaafada Loo Diiday" [Several ministers of the new government assumed office today, amid controversy as the handover ceremony at the Ministry of Finance was closed to the press]. Araweelo News Network (in Somali). 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  13. ^ "Madaxweyne Siilaanyo Oo Ku Dhawaaqay Golihiisa Wasiiradda Iyo Tirada Wasaaraddaha Oo Wax Iska Bedeleen Sidii La Saadaalinayay" [President Silanyo announces his cabinet and a changed number of ministries from what was anticipated]. Araweelo News Network (in Somali). 28 July 2010. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  14. ^ "Wasiiro Somaliland oo iscasilay" [Somaliland ministers resign]. BBC Somali (in Somali). 26 October 2015. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  15. ^ "War Deg Deg ah:Madaxweyne Siilaanyo oo Magacaabay Xubno ka Mid ah Xilalkii ay Baneeyeen Wasiiradii Shalay is Casilay" [Breaking news: President Silanyo appoints officials to the posts vacated by the ministers who resigned yesterday]. Qurbejoog (in Somali). 27 October 2015. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  16. ^ "BREAKING Somaliland's new President names 32-Cabinet ministers". Horn Diplomat. 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
  17. ^ "Qabiilada ay ka soo kala jeedaan wasiirada iyo wasiir ku xigeenada uu madaxweyne Muuse Biixi maanta magacaabey akhriso" [The clans of the ministers and deputy ministers appointed today by President Muse Bihi]. Qurbejoog (in Somali). 16 December 2017. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  18. ^ a b "Madaxweyne Muusa Biixi oo isku shaandheeyey golahiisa wasiirrada" [President Muse Bihi reshuffles his council of ministers]. BBC Somali (in Somali). 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  19. ^ a b “Muuse Biixi oo Saddex Wasiir Xilka Ka Qaaday, Lix Kalena Magacaabay” [Muuse Biixi Removes Three Ministers, Appoints Six More], Horseed Media, 1 December 2019. https://horseedmedia.net/muuse-biixi-oo-saddex-wasiir-xilka-ka-qaaday-lix-kalena-magacaabay/326744/
  20. ^ a b "Madaxweynaha Somaliland oo Xilka qaadis, bedel iyo Magacaabid ku sameeyey qaar ka mida masuuliyiinta xukuumaddiisa" [Somaliland president dismisses, reshuffles and appoints some members of his government]. Puntlandes (in Somali). 10 January 2021. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  21. ^ "Somaliland President Irro unveils full cabinet after election victory". Hiiraan Online. 14 December 2024. Retrieved 2025-11-22.