Mogadishu, Somalia – Hassan Moalim Mohamud, Somalia’s Minister of Justice, has confirmed that the newly endorsed Penal Code signifies a fundamental transition to a legal system firmly established in Islamic doctrines and the country’s traditional customs.
During his appearance at the National Media Week gathering in Mogadishu, the minister elaborated on the legislation, recently approved by the Council of Ministers.
He characterized the new code as an essential update to the nation’s judicial system, crafted to address the particular requirements of Somali society.
Further, the minister stressed that unlike prior legal structures, this code is the result of work by Somali legal professionals. The development process concentrated on establishing laws aligned with contemporary social conditions in the nation while ensuring consistency with global legal benchmarks.
“This legislation was shaped by Somali experts to guarantee alignment with our community,” the minister explained.
He pointed out that the new code intends to supersede the outdated Penal Code that has governed for more than six decades, a system no longer capable of properly managing the intricacies of present-day criminal issues and justice procedures.
A distinctive characteristic of the new Penal Code is its steadfast commitment to religious and cultural values.
The minister clarified that the legal provisions are based on the doctrines of Islam and Somali traditional practices. Moreover, the code has been synchronized with the legal norms of the Arab League, ensuring Somalia’s judicial system remains aligned with its regional counterparts.
The minister outlined the principal goals of the reform, which is to reduce crime levels across communities and to protect the basic rights of all citizens.
By revising the classifications of offenses and corresponding penalties, the authorities seek to establish a fairer atmosphere that discourages unlawful behavior while safeguarding those at risk.
This comprehensive legal transformation represents a significant advancement in the federal government’s strategy to establish a judicial system that is both efficient and representative of the country’s character.
