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A UN expert on human rights in Somalia urged the Somali government on Thursday to accelerate important reforms and strengthen protections for its people amid persistent conflict and political uncertainty. The expert’s statement came at the conclusion of her fourth official visit to the country.
Isha Dyfan, the UN independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, strongly condemned the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and its violent attacks that harm civilians, including children, and keep Somalia in a state of ongoing insecurity. She also expressed concern about violent clashes between Somalia’s federal forces and regional groups such as those in Jubaland state, which have caused deaths, displacement, sexual violence, and the recruitment of children into armed groups.
Regarding the constitutional review process, Dyfan urged the government to ensure that all key stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society organizations, minority groups, and women’s representatives, are meaningfully involved. She stated that this inclusive approach is essential to guarantee that the reforms are fair, transparent, and broadly accepted by Somali society. Dyfan warned, however, that Somalia’s deeply rooted clan-based political system, which distributes power primarily along clan lines, risks undermining these efforts by entrenching traditional power dynamics and limiting political inclusivity unless carefully managed.
She also highlighted delays in Somalia’s formal approval of important international human rights treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and regional agreements that protect women’s and children’s rights. At the national level, key laws to protect against sexual violence, support juvenile justice, and end harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) are still awaiting approval by parliament. Some progress has been made at the regional level, including laws passed by Jubaland and Southwest states on FGM and disability rights.
In closing, Dyfan called on Somalia’s government to use ongoing transitions supported by the United Nations and African Union to push forward with constitutional reforms, strengthen legal protections, and build institutions that guarantee human rights for all Somalis. She emphasized the need to uphold the rule of law and ensure that laws are fair, transparent, and equally applied as a foundation for peace and stability. Dyfan also urged the international community to support Somalia’s efforts to address its fragile security situation and pressing humanitarian needs.
Somalia has faced decades of instability following the collapse of its central government in 1991, with ongoing conflicts involving militant groups like Al-Shabaab, clan-based disputes, and weak governance structures. Despite international efforts to support peace and state-building, Somalia continues to struggle with security challenges, humanitarian crises, and fragile institutions.
Adding to Somalia’s challenges are the severe effects of climate change and natural disasters. A drought from 2021 to 2023 resulted in a critical food crisis for approximately half of the country’s population, reducing sanitation levels and food insecurity while destroying agro-pastoral livelihoods. Approximately 6 million people in Somalia are currently “in extreme need of urgent, lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection.”
Additionally, freedom of expression remains under serious threat. Journalists and social media activists face harassment, intimidation, and arrests, both from Al-Shabaab and security forces. Officials have pressured media workers to limit their reporting to government sources, leading to widespread fear and self-censorship. This restricts the public’s access to vital information about security and political issues.
Reporters Without Borders ranked Somalia 136th out of 180 countries in its 2025 Press Freedom Index, stating that “Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in Africa.”
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Isha Dyfan, the UN independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, strongly condemned the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and its violent attacks that harm civilians, including children, and keep Somalia in a state of ongoing insecurity. She also expressed concern about violent clashes between Somalia’s federal forces and regional groups such as those in Jubaland state, which have caused deaths, displacement, sexual violence, and the recruitment of children into armed groups.
Regarding the constitutional review process, Dyfan urged the government to ensure that all key stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society organizations, minority groups, and women’s representatives, are meaningfully involved. She stated that this inclusive approach is essential to guarantee that the reforms are fair, transparent, and broadly accepted by Somali society. Dyfan warned, however, that Somalia’s deeply rooted clan-based political system, which distributes power primarily along clan lines, risks undermining these efforts by entrenching traditional power dynamics and limiting political inclusivity unless carefully managed.
She also highlighted delays in Somalia’s formal approval of important international human rights treaties such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and regional agreements that protect women’s and children’s rights. At the national level, key laws to protect against sexual violence, support juvenile justice, and end harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) are still awaiting approval by parliament. Some progress has been made at the regional level, including laws passed by Jubaland and Southwest states on FGM and disability rights.
In closing, Dyfan called on Somalia’s government to use ongoing transitions supported by the United Nations and African Union to push forward with constitutional reforms, strengthen legal protections, and build institutions that guarantee human rights for all Somalis. She emphasized the need to uphold the rule of law and ensure that laws are fair, transparent, and equally applied as a foundation for peace and stability. Dyfan also urged the international community to support Somalia’s efforts to address its fragile security situation and pressing humanitarian needs.
Somalia has faced decades of instability following the collapse of its central government in 1991, with ongoing conflicts involving militant groups like Al-Shabaab, clan-based disputes, and weak governance structures. Despite international efforts to support peace and state-building, Somalia continues to struggle with security challenges, humanitarian crises, and fragile institutions.
Adding to Somalia’s challenges are the severe effects of climate change and natural disasters. A drought from 2021 to 2023 resulted in a critical food crisis for approximately half of the country’s population, reducing sanitation levels and food insecurity while destroying agro-pastoral livelihoods. Approximately 6 million people in Somalia are currently “in extreme need of urgent, lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection.”
Additionally, freedom of expression remains under serious threat. Journalists and social media activists face harassment, intimidation, and arrests, both from Al-Shabaab and security forces. Officials have pressured media workers to limit their reporting to government sources, leading to widespread fear and self-censorship. This restricts the public’s access to vital information about security and political issues.
Reporters Without Borders ranked Somalia 136th out of 180 countries in its 2025 Press Freedom Index, stating that “Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in Africa.”
The post UN rights expert calls on Somalia to accelerate reforms amid conflict and uncertainty appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.