Mogadishu, Somalia — Somalia’s State Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ambassador Ilyas Sheikh Omar, officially opened a national forum on Tuesday focused on the vital role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners.
Speaking at the event in Mogadishu, Amb. Omar emphasized that effective prisoner rehabilitation is impossible without strong partnerships between government institutions and communities. He stressed the need for humane, standards-based approaches aligned with both Somali law and international human rights principles.
“Reintegration is not solely a government responsibility. CSOs are indispensable in offering psychosocial support, education, vocational training, and post-release guidance to ensure former inmates return as productive citizens,” Amb. Omar stated.
The forum brought together representatives from local NGOs, legal aid providers, community leaders, correctional facility officials, and international partners. Discussions centered on developing a national rehabilitation framework that incorporates community participation while promoting accountability, dignity, and non-recidivism.
The Justice Ministry highlighted the importance of transitioning from punitive to restorative justice, especially in cases involving youth offenders and those radicalized by extremist groups. Participants shared success stories from community-driven pilot programs in Mogadishu, Baidoa, and Kismayo that have already shown promising outcomes.
This forum is part of the Ministry’s broader effort to reform Somalia’s justice sector under the 2025–2030 Justice Strategy, which prioritizes access to justice, prison reform, and civil society engagement.
The initiative is also supported by international development partners working with the Federal Government of Somalia to align national correctional systems with global best practices. Further forums are expected in regional capitals in the coming months to build a unified, grassroots-driven approach to justice sector transformation.