Somalia

Key Results

With UNDP’s support, a formal police force was established for the first time in Galmudug state  – a major step in delivering a formal professional policing service in the area. Following a three-month training course, 400 new recruits (including 64 women) were deployed to various districts, with the salaries paid by the Galmudug state.

UNDP established 17 women’s peace networks with around 300 women members, through which women can seek solutions on protection and peace related concerns, and plan collective actions at quarterly meetings with duty bearers. In 2023, these networks became increasingly integrated into the traditional peace processes.

UNDP support contributed to the establishment and operationalization of three one-stop centres for the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Baidoa, Dhusamareb and Kismayo. In 2023, the centres provided support to 226 women and three men. The centres also raise awareness of local displaced and host communities to prevent gender-based violence, reduce stigma and inform about the services available. 

Somalia’s protracted fragility and conflict have heavily impacted its rule of law and justice sector. Weak institutions and their limited presence outside Mogadishu (the capital) contributed to low levels of trust and legitimacy in the formal justice system. Women are largely excluded from formal decision-making processes in Somalia, owing to structural constraints and male-dominated clan and political systems. Violence and impunity, the climate crisis and high levels of displacement have further exposed women to increased sexual and gender-based violence, loss of livelihood, food and economic insecurity.

RULE OF LAW AND SECURITY PORTFOLIO

In this context, a key national priority is the design and adoption of a consensual Somali Justice and Corrections Model, which needs to be people-centred, realistic and affordable to ensure it contributes to legitimacy of the state and the justice sector, and hence its use by Somalis. Guided by this goal and to support the long-term peace in Somalia, UNDP implements a Joint Justice & Corrections Programme (JJCP) as part of its broader rule of law portfolio under the framework of the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law (GFP). The portfolio contributes to building capable, accountable, trusted and affordable justice and security sector that operates within the rule of law and human rights framework. People-centred approach and community-driven initiatives are at the core of UNDP’s rule of law portfolio in Somalia.

To progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically goal five (Gender equality) and goal 10 (Reduced inequalities), the programming is focused on delivering for the most vulnerable marginalized people. This includes support to sexual and gender-based violence survivors, community policing and developing networks of religious leaders.

To make the services more accessible for the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, three one-stop centres were established and operationalized in Baidoa, Dhusamareb and Kismayo. The centres provide medical and psychosocial services, make referrals and collect data to inform policy and further interventions. Since their establishment in 2023, the three centres provided support to 226 women and three men. The centres also raise awareness of local displaced and host communities to prevent gender-based violence, reduce stigma and inform about the services available.

In the Galmudug state, with UNDP’s support, a police force was formed for the first time – a major step in delivering formal professional policing service in the area. Four-hundred new recruits (including 64 women) completed a three-month training course in early 2023, following the Somali Police Force curriculum. All recruits were deployed to various districts, with the salaries paid by the Galmudug state.

In addition, Federal and State Police Acts were developed in consultations with stakeholders, including government representatives, police, local community representatives, civil society organizations (CSOs) and women’s associations. The acts were approved by the parliaments in the South-West State (SWS), Galmudug and Hirshabelle – a milestone in embedding a framework for the efficient state police forces operating in line with international standards.

A network of moderate religious leaders, previously established by UNDP, has continued to demonstrate value by providing insider mediation in conflict 1 . This bottom-up conflict transformation approach was founded on the shared understanding that Islam can be a unifying force, providing ethical principles to build a peaceful future.

UNDP encouraged a peacebuilding dialogue at the state political level by convening the religious network at major peace conferences in Garowe and Galkayo. Notably, women religious leaders featured prominently at these conferences, indicating how the network supports women’s empowerment and visibility in a religious context. 

To foster the achievement of SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), UNDP prioritized an evidence-based approach. A nationwide survey on public perceptions of justice and security institutions was designed and commissioned, including a specific measurement of SDG target 16.3 conducted in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MOJCA). The survey targeted 11 locations with a randomized household selection methodology and a total of 2,203 respondents. After the results become available in April 2024, the survey will serve as a baseline to measure SDG-related outcomes and other aspects of perceptions of the rule of law in Somalia.

To empower women to participate in peacebuilding with decision-making and leadership roles, UNDP established and supported 17 women’s peace networks with around 300 members through which women can seek solutions on protection and peace related concerns and plan collective actions at quarterly meetings with duty bearers. In 2023, there was anecdotal evidence that these women’s networks were integrated into the traditional peace infrastructure, increasingly engaged in joint action with traditional elders on cases of conflict and sexual and gender-based violence, as well as with existing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and other community peace structures. Training on leadership skills, early warning systems and gender-based violence was provided to all 17 women’s networks to enhance their capacity. As a result of this bottom-up approach to capacitation and empowerment, a ten percent increase was seen, compared to 2022, amongst those surveyed in target districts who believe women should be in leadership positions for peace processes. 2

Lessons learned and good practices

High-level political engagement, including that of the government bodies, the Good Offices of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and under the GFP umbrella, is vital to ensure that people-centred legislation on women’s rights, police and the security sector oversight is adopted and implemented. 

A series of police trainings supported by UNDP identified that a notable proportion of officers were beyond retirement age. Since this situation may affect the sustainability and effectiveness of the police, the need for a more comprehensive assessment of police capacity was identified. With this goal in mind, the government, in partnership with UNDP, conducted an affordability analysis of the status of the Somali Police Force in December 2023, to provide a roadmap for rightsizing to promote longer-term sustainability.

Looking forward

The portfolio will expand programming on justice, peacebuilding and women’s empowerment in partnership with UNSOM, bringing together key representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal member states. Three new programmes will be launched: on security sector governance, Phase II of the Joint Police Programme and a project on inclusion and disability rights. In coordination with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the portfolio will re-establish programming on Somaliland rule of law institutions to enhance their inclusivity, accountability and responsiveness, particularly for internally displaced persons.