Mogadishu, SONNA — Senate of the Federal Parliament of Somalia has formally approved the appointment of the Commissioners of the National Independent Human Rights Commission, marking a major milestone in Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its national human rights architecture.
During today’s session, 28 senators voted in favor of the appointments out of 55 present, with one abstention. Following their endorsement, the newly appointed members took their constitutional oath before the Upper House.
Addressing the Senate ahead of the vote, the Minister of Family and Human Rights, H.E. Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, underscored the significance of the Commission in safeguarding human rights and enhancing governmental accountability. She expressed full confidence in the new body, noting that it
will fully carry out its mandate to hold government institutions accountable.”
A Milestone in Somalia’s Human Rights Journey
The Senate’s approval represents the culmination of a national and international process set in motion on 25 September 2025, when the Federal Cabinet voted to conclude the mandate of the UN-appointed independent human rights expert for Somalia. This was followed by a landmark resolution of the UN Human Rights Council on 8 October 2025, granting Somalia full control of its human rights affairs for the first time since 1993—an achievement Minister Al-Makhzoumi described as
a major victory for the Somali people.”
On 11 October 2025, the House of the People overwhelmingly endorsed the establishment of the Commission, a step the minister hailed as “a great and historic achievement for the Somali people.”
Newly Appointed Commissioners
The National Independent Human Rights Commission is composed of nine members who will elect a chairperson from among themselves. They include:
- Farhan Mohamed Jamali
- Ahmed Sheikh Hamza Abshir
- Ali Mohamed Almi
- Omar Abdullahi Also
- Mariam Qasim Ahmed
- Fatima Abdelghani Yusuf
- Mohamed Osman Mahmoud
- Mohamed Harun Mahmoud
- Maimouna Sheikh Omar
Strengthening a National System
These consecutive developments demonstrate Somalia’s growing leadership in managing its own human rights agenda and reaffirm its commitment to building a strong, independent national human rights system aligned with international standards.
