Somalia's army chief, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, has signed a directive aimed at preventing and responding to violence against women during periods of armed conflict. The order is part of efforts to strengthen the protection of women and address abuses committed against them during conflict. According to the army, the directive seeks to reinforce measures to prevent violence against women and protect their rights, dignity, and safety.
The directive sets out responsibilities for the prevention, reporting, investigation, and response to cases of violence against women, in accordance with Somali law and relevant international rules governing the protection of civilians during armed conflict. The military says the order provides clearer procedures for handling allegations and cases involving violence against women and aims to strengthen accountability within the armed forces.
The initiative follows sustained cooperation between the United Nations Human Rights and Protection team within the UN Transition Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and the Somali National Army. The UN bodies have been working with the Somali military to strengthen its capacity to prevent and respond to violence against women during conflict.
The signing of the order comes as Somalia continues military operations against Al-Shabaab and other armed groups, with civilians exposed to violence and displacement in areas affected by fighting. Women and children are among those particularly vulnerable to abuses during armed conflict, including sexual violence, displacement, and other forms of exploitation.
The new directive aims to ensure that members of the armed forces understand their obligations to protect civilians and respond appropriately to reported abuses. However, the army did not provide details on the specific procedures or penalties contained in the order. The United Nations has for years worked with Somali security institutions to strengthen human rights protections and compliance with international humanitarian law.
The latest order represents a further step in integrating the protection of civilians and prevention of conflict-related violence into the work of Somalia's national armed forces. Somali authorities and international partners have repeatedly stressed the need to strengthen accountability and civilian protection as the government expands security operations and prepares for the gradual transition of security responsibilities from international missions to Somali forces.
The order was signed on September 20, 2026, and is seen as a significant step towards protecting women's rights in Somalia. The country has faced decades of conflict, and the signing of the order demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing violence against women. The implementation of the directive will be closely monitored, and its effectiveness in preventing and responding to violence against women will be evaluated in the coming months.
Key points
- The Somali army chief has signed an order aimed at preventing and responding to violence against women during conflict.
- The directive sets out responsibilities for the prevention, reporting, investigation, and response to cases of violence against women.
- The initiative follows sustained cooperation between the UN and the Somali National Army to strengthen the military's capacity to prevent and respond to violence against women.
