President Muse Bihi Abdi has banned traditional elders, or clan leaders, from adjudicating rape cases, mandating that such cases be handled solely by the judicial system.
Concerned about the increasing cases of rape in Somaliland, President Biixi has released two articles regarding the crime.
Effective immediately, traditional elders are prohibited from intervening in rape cases, with all accused individuals to be brought directly to court by the police.
“I have decided that the crime of rape should be handled exclusively by the competent courts of the country to ensure that those accused of these crimes receive the legal punishment they deserve and to protect the basic rights and freedoms of citizens,” President Abdi stated.
The President’s directive, aimed at ensuring justice and safeguarding citizens’ rights, instructs the Chief of Police and the Attorney General to strictly enforce the new policy. Abdi emphasized that rape cases must be resolved within the judicial system, underscoring the inadequacy of traditional methods in dealing with such serious crimes.
Traditional elders in Somaliland have historically wielded significant power in adjudicating rape cases, often resulting in outcomes perceived as unjust. The new decree seeks to rectify this by entrusting rape cases to the formal judicial system.
The decision coming after a cabinet sitting, the government ruled that rape cases will in future be handled through judicial means.
It has been reported that in recent times there has been increaseing cases in provinces and districts around the country.
The decision made by the cabinet include having the courts handle the cases and to ensure the protection of the rights and basic freedoms of citizens.
The president said: “I will order the commander of the police and the attorney general of the nation to ensure that the accusers of rape are taken to the courts that have the power to solve them in a system other than the judicial system.”
