MOGADISHU, Somalia — The European Union has reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s justice sector as officials and international partners concluded a joint workshop focused on the country’s justice and corrections transition.
EU Chargé d’Affaires Karin Gatt-Rutter delivered remarks at the closing ceremony of the Joint Justice and Corrections Transition Workshop in Mogadishu, which was supported by the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The workshop focused on Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its justice and corrections institutions as the country moves toward greater national ownership of its security and rule-of-law responsibilities.
Gatt-Rutter said the European Union remained committed to strengthening Somalia’s justice sector and supporting a Somali-led future for justice.
The emphasis on national leadership reflects Somalia’s broader transition from international support toward institutions capable of independently providing security, justice and corrections services.
Building stronger justice institutions
Strengthening the justice system is considered a critical part of Somalia’s wider state-building efforts. Courts, prosecutors, prisons and other justice institutions face challenges including limited resources, infrastructure gaps and the need for additional professional capacity.
International partners have supported Somalia through training, institutional development and technical assistance, while increasingly emphasizing Somali ownership of reforms.
The involvement of UNTMIS and UNDP in the workshop reflects the continuing international effort to help Somalia develop institutions capable of taking on greater responsibility as the U.N.’s political and security presence evolves.
For the EU, supporting the justice sector is also closely linked to wider efforts to promote the rule of law, accountability and stability in Somalia.
The closing workshop marks another step in efforts to coordinate those priorities and ensure that the transition in justice and corrections is led by Somali institutions while benefiting from international expertise and support.
The EU said it would continue working with Somali authorities and international partners as the country develops a justice system capable of serving its population and supporting longer-term stability.
