Chairman of the Somalia Armed Forces Court Colonel Hassan Ali Nur (Shuute), has revealed that the court handled a total of 2,597 cases in 2024, involving 2,966 defendants. He made these remarks while attending the 7th Conference of Somalia’s Prosecutors.
According to Chairman Shuute, the military court has addressed a wide range of crimes, including domestic offenses and cases related to the financing of terrorism from abroad.
He noted a significant decrease in targeted killings by the militant group ‘AS,’ attributing this decline to the relentless efforts of the Somali National Army and security forces in strengthening security measures.
“In 2024, the Military Court’s prosecution office across the country presented 2,597 cases involving 2,966 defendants. Compared to 2023, there has been a significant reduction in assassinations committed by terrorist groups. This is clear evidence that our security forces have done an excellent job,” said Shuute.
During the conference, Chairman Shuute urged the Somali government to establish a dedicated court for the local militia forces known as ‘Macawiisley.’
These community-based forces were initially formed to combat insurgents, but their accountability has become a growing concern.
The government had previously announced plans to introduce a legal framework for handling offenses committed by these forces, but that process remains incomplete.
Shuute emphasized that the lack of a judicial framework for the Macawiisley forces has placed a significant burden on the military courts.
He urged the Somali government to expedite the formation of a special tribunal to handle crimes committed by these forces, as they are not officially part of the national army.
“We are requesting the establishment of special courts for Macawiisley forces, as their involvement in violent incidents has increased by 11% this year, including cases where they have killed government soldiers. In 2022, the Council of Ministers introduced a temporary judicial process for handling cases in newly liberated areas for three months, but that period has long expired. This issue has now become a major challenge for us,” Shuute stated.
The Somali Military Court continues to handle various cases, with some individuals already convicted, while others await trial as their legal proceedings are being finalized.
Mustaqbal
