Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi opened the country’s first National Conference on the Reform of Justice Institutions in 14 years, calling the modernization of the judiciary essential to the nation’s stability, security and democratic future.
The two-day gathering, convened by the Ministry of Justice under Minister Yoonis Ahmed Yoonis and supported by international partners including the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union, brings together judges, prosecutors, legal scholars and civil society groups for a comprehensive review of the justice sector.
President Abdullahi described justice as “the most important pillar” on which any nation must be built, arguing that the credibility of the state depends on the fairness and accessibility of its legal institutions.
“Justice is the basis for protecting human rights, fulfilling national obligations and carrying out the work of the State,” he said, adding that it underpins “every aspect of social life—from security and stability to economic growth and national unity.”
He warned that no country can advance without a judicial system that guarantees equal treatment under the law, regardless of social background or economic status.
The president praised the conference for bringing all key actors into one forum, urging participants to conduct an honest assessment of the system’s strengths and weaknesses.
“You, who are independent and armed with knowledge and experience, must identify what is good and should be strengthened; what has strayed and must be corrected; and what is missing and must be added,” he said.
President Abdullahi pledged that his administration will act on the recommendations emerging from the conference as part of his constitutional responsibility to uphold the rule of law.
Reaffirming the priorities of his Government of Unity and Action, he stressed the need to restore public trust in the courts and ensure that justice is seen not as an aspiration but as a lived reality for every citizen.
“The government is committed to justice and the rule of law,” he said, calling the conference an important step toward building a modern, independent and transparent judiciary for Somaliland.
