The new law gives effect to the African Union's Kampala Convention on internally displaced persons.
Somalia has enacted Law No. 15, adopting the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons, known as the Kampala Convention. The law gives domestic effect to the Convention.
The Act was enacted in recognition of the large number of people displaced within Somalia by conflict and disaster. Its purpose is to commit Somalia to the Convention's standards for protecting and assisting internally displaced persons.
Law No. 15, the Law Adopting the AU Convention on the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons was enacted and entered into force on November 26, 2019.
Internal displacement has affected millions of Somalis, and international frameworks exist to guide how states respond. By adopting the Kampala Convention, Somalia committed itself to those standards.
The law incorporates the Convention's principles for protecting and assisting people displaced within their own country, including their rights to safety, dignity, and assistance.
It reflects the Convention's emphasis on the responsibilities of the state towards displaced persons, from prevention of displacement to support during displacement and durable solutions.
By adopting the Convention, Somalia aligns its national response with continental and international standards on displacement.
The law provides a basis for policies and institutions that protect displaced persons and help them rebuild their lives, complementing Somalia's other laws on displacement.
This law is important because it commits Somalia to recognised standards for protecting internally displaced persons. Adopting the Kampala Convention strengthens the legal basis for assisting displaced people and finding durable solutions. A clear framework benefits affected communities and supports the coordination of humanitarian and development efforts.
“Adopting the Kampala Convention affirms Somalia's responsibility towards people displaced within their own country. It gives protection and assistance for displaced persons a firmer legal foundation. Turning these commitments into coordinated action on the ground is where the Convention's value will be realised.”
, Dr. Abdiwahid Osman Haji, LL.M. (Master of Laws), LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws)
Managing Partner at Mogadishu Law Office
This release is provided for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Professional legal advice should be obtained before acting on any matter discussed here.