Somalia
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- transitional federal-parliamentary government: there is no permanent national government
- CONSTITUTION
- September 23, 1979
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- there is no national system; a mix of English common law, Italian law, Islamic law, and traditional Somali norms
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, National Assembly
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- not operational: following the fall of the National Government, many regions reintroduced Islamic law and Somali customary law, with the possibility of appeal
RELIGIONS
Sunni Muslims
From the country
FEBRUARY 16, 2026SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA EXECUTES TWO AL-SHABAAB CONVICTS OVER DEADLY MOGADISHU ATTACKS
The Somali federal government on February 16, 2026 executed two men convicted of orchestrating a series of deadly assassinations and bombings in the capital, judicial officials confirmed.
- FEBRUARY 12, 2026SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: MILITARY COURT EXECUTES TWO MEN CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE KILLINGS IN MOGADISHU
Somalia’s Military Court on February 10, 2026 carried out the execution by firing squad of two men convicted of committing multiple killings in the capital, Mogadishu.
FEBRUARY 5, 2026SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: WOMAN EXECUTED FOR MURDERING A CHILD IN A CASE THAT SPARKED OUTRAGE
The authorities in Puntland, a semi‑autonomous region of Somalia, have executed a woman convicted of murdering a 14‑year‑old girl, in a rare case in the region in which the death penalty has been carried out against a woman.
NOVEMBER 11, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: TWO AL-SHABAAB MEMBERS EXECUTED FOR KILLINGS AND AMBUSHES
Somalia’s military court on September 1st, 2025 executed two convicted al-Shabaab members by firing squad after finding them guilty of involvement in killings and ambush attacks.
OCTOBER 14, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: GALMUDUG EXECUTES MAN FOR 2025 MURDER IN GURIEL DISTRICT
Authorities in the Galmudug region on October 9, 2025 executed a man convicted of a premeditated killing, marking the latest enforcement of capital punishment under Somali law.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: MILITARY COURT SENTENCES EX-SOLDIER TO DEATH FOR AL-SHABAAB ATTACK
A Somali military court on September 1st, 2025 sentenced former soldier Mohamed Bulle Mumin to death after finding him guilty of collaborating with Al-Shabaab and orchestrating a deadly ambush in Kismayo.
- SEPTEMBER 14, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: MILITARY TRIBUNAL EXECUTES 3 AL-SHABAAB TERRORISTS
A military court in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, executed three al-Shabaab terrorists by firing squad on August 7, 2025 for carrying out killings and assassinations in the southwestern region of Lower Shabelle.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA EXECUTES TWO SOLDIERS CONVICTED OF AIDING AL-SHABAAB IN COMMANDER’S KILLING
Two members of the Somali National Army (SNA) were executed on August 11, 2025, following convictions by the Armed Forces Court over links with the al-Shabaab fighters, a group that has destabilized peace in the country for two decades.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA EXECUTES THREE AL-SHABAAB MILITANTS CONVICTED OF DEADLY ATTACKS IN MOGADISHU AND LOWER SHABELLE
Somalia’s military court has carried out the death sentence by firing squad against three convicted members of the militant group Al-Shabaab, officials confirmed on August 14, 2025 morning.
- SEPTEMBER 9, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTY
SOMALIA: TWO KHARIJITES EXECUTED FOR MURDERS IN MOGADISHU
The Military Court of the Armed Forces on August 20, 2025 carried out the execution of two convicted members of the Kharijite terrorist group, who were found guilty of committing multiple murders in the capital, Mogadishu.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: SECURITY FORCES EXECUTE TWO AL-SHABAAB MILITANTS IN MOGADISHU BY FIRING SQUAD
The Somali authorities on August 25, 2025 executed Anas Abdulqadir Ali Mahmoud “Salman” and Aden Mursal Mohamed Lidow, members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, who were convicted of carrying out bombings and targeted killings.
AUGUST 20, 2025SomaliaDEATH PENALTYSOMALIA: MILITARY COURT SENTENCES HARAMCAD OFFICER TO DEATH FOR KILLING UNARMED CIVILIAN
A Somali military court on August 2, 2025 sentenced a former officer from the Haram'ad special police unit to death by firing squad after finding him guilty of murdering an unarmed day labourer in a brazen, unprovoked shooting that has reignited public de