Somalia Enforces New Rules for Cultural and Arts Institutions

Mogadishu, (SONNA) — The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Somalia has officially announced the implementation of Ministerial Order No. 0001/26, dated 27 July 2026, approving the Interim Procedures for the Administration and Registration of Cultural and Arts Institutions in the country.

The notice is addressed to all institutions, institutes, organizations, councils and individuals working in culture and the arts, as well as the Ministries of Culture of the Federal Member States and Banadir Region, and other relevant institutions and stakeholders.

The Order was issued with reference to Article 122(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Prime Minister’s Order No. 174 of 15 February 2025, and Prime Minister’s Order No. 140 of 12 October 2023 concerning the implementation of the Somali Cultural and Arts Policy.

The Interim Procedures aim to:

1. Implement the National Cultural and Arts Policy;

2. Establish interim standards for overseeing and registering cultural and arts institutions operating in the country, including both national and foreign entities;

3. Establish a unified system for registering institutions operating in the cultural and arts sector;

4. Protect and develop Somali culture and the arts;

5. Strengthen cooperation between the Ministry and cultural and arts institutions in the country;

6. Ensure the quality and legal compliance of the work of cultural and arts institutions in the country.

Under Article 2 of Ministerial Order No. 0001/26, the Ministry is responsible for registering all licenses and agreements, protecting information and maintaining records and documents, and monitoring and verifying implementation of the Order.

All institutions and parties covered by the Order have been instructed to promptly comply with the Interim Procedures and contact the Ministry regarding registration, licenses, agreements and relevant documentation related to their cultural and arts activities.

The Ministry further stated that Ministerial Order No. 0001/26 came into force upon its signing by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, as provided under Article 3 of the Order.

The Ministry called on all institutions, organizations, councils, institutes and individuals working in culture and the arts to fully cooperate and comply with the Order and procedures to establish a unified, legally regulated system for managing and developing cultural and arts activities in the country.

The notice officially puts into effect the notification to all parties concerned under Ministerial Order No. 0001/26.