UN ends 13 years of support to Somalia’s justice institutions and prison services

Wednesday August 26, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) officially concluded its direct support programme for Somalia’s justice institutions and prison services on Aug. 25, 2026, ending 13 years of continuous UN rule-of-law assistance.

A ceremony marking the end of the programme was held Tuesday in Mogadishu and attended by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Hassan Moalim Mohamud, federal and state officials, representatives from the United Nations and UNTMIS, judicial and correctional institutions, and international partners.

Minister Hassan thanked the United Nations, UNTMIS and international partners for supporting Somalia’s judicial institutions and corrections services through training, capacity-building and efforts to strengthen the rule of law.

“The conclusion of UNTMIS activities is an important step towards the Federal Government and national institutions taking full ownership of the development of the justice system,” he said.

He said the knowledge, expertise and institutional capacity built during the period of UNTMIS support would provide an important foundation for further development of Somalia’s justice system and prison services.

The federal government said it would continue developing justice and correctional institutions, with a focus on ensuring that national institutions fully assume responsibility for those services.

Officials at the meeting also emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and coordination between the Somali government and international partners to support the ongoing development of the justice system and prison services.

The milestone marks the end of 13 years of UN rule-of-law assistance through UNTMIS and its predecessor mission, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia.