Mogadishu, Somalia – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has hailed the United Nations Human Rights Council’s landmark decision to restore Somalia’s full sovereignty over human rights oversight — a milestone marking the end of more than three decades of external monitoring and management.
In a statement released on Wednesday, President Mohamud described the move as a testament to Somalia’s growing institutional maturity and steady progress in governance, justice reform, and respect for fundamental freedoms.
“Today is a historic day as Somalia has made significant progress in governance,” the President said, emphasizing that the decision reflects international recognition of Somalia’s determination to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all its citizens.
The UN Human Rights Council’s decision follows years of collaborative engagement between Somalia and international partners aimed at strengthening the country’s legal and human rights frameworks. It signifies a transition from a system in which external mechanisms heavily guided Somalia’s human rights reporting and accountability processes, toward one fully managed by national institutions.
Government officials and human rights advocates in Mogadishu have lauded the development as a crucial step toward reinforcing Somalia’s sovereignty, national ownership, and credibility on the global stage. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, along with the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, is expected to play a leading role in coordinating national human rights programs under this new framework.
The decision comes amid broader governance reforms championed by President Mohamud’s administration, including judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, and the implementation of the National Human Rights Roadmap. Observers say the milestone marks a new chapter in Somalia’s democratic renewal and international re-engagement.