Mogadishu(SONNA)-Two Somali law students from Mogadishu University have made history by becoming the first-ever Somali team to participate in the prestigious Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot, held in Hong Kong from March 15–22, 2026.
The 23rd edition of the moot was held in Hong Kong from March 15 to March 22, 2026, bringing together leading law schools from across the globe. Representing Somalia were senior law students Samira Yusuf and Sabirin Elmi, accompanied by their coach Ibrahim, marking a significant milestone for the country’s academic and legal community.
Their participation places Somalia on the global map of competitive legal advocacy for the first time in the history of the Vis East Moot, a competition known for its rigorous focus on international arbitration, legal writing, and oral argument. The event attracts hundreds of universities each year, and in the 2025 edition alone, more than 1,500 students and coaches from 154 teams took part, underscoring its scale and prestige.
The debut of the Mogadishu University team reflects growing efforts within Somalia’s higher education sector to engage internationally and equip students with practical legal skills. By competing at this level, the students gained valuable exposure to complex cross-border legal issues and the opportunity to interact with peers and professionals from diverse jurisdictions.
This historic appearance is widely seen as a breakthrough moment for Somalia, signaling progress in legal education and offering inspiration for future generations of Somali students to pursue excellence on the global stage.
