The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Somaliland, Adam Haji Ali Ahmed, reported on the annual judicial performance for 2024 and the initial months of 2025. He stated that in 2024, the courts handled 26,716 cases, comprising 14,046 civil cases, 7,908 criminal cases, and 3,500 enforcement cases. Of these, 22,220 cases (83%) were resolved, while 4,514 cases (17%) remain ongoing. In comparison, in 2023, the courts received 25,510 cases, with 22,445 (88%) resolved and 3,080 (12%) pending, indicating a 5% decrease in case resolution between 2023 and 2024.
He highlighted efforts to enhance judicial staff capacity, noting that in 2024, 181 personnel benefited from educational scholarships (fully funded or 50% subsidized), while 500 others attended short-term training courses on legal and supplementary skills, including first aid, fire safety, administration, and management.
Chief Justice Adam Haji Ali also emphasized the completion of the Supreme Court Library, which will serve as a reading hub housing legal documents and books essential for judges and legal researchers addressing complex legal issues scientifically.
He noted that the courts handle thousands of citizens monthly, addressing case filings, complaint management, and providing efficient legal services. Mobile courts play a critical role in extending legal services from district to Supreme Court levels across various regions.
He also highlighted infrastructure improvements, including extensive renovations in 2024 at courts in Sanaag, Togdheer, and Saaxil regions, expansions at the Awdal Regional Court, and the foundation laying for the Qol-u-jeed District Court.
The 2024 annual report included revenue generated from stamp duty offices at various courts, with the Chief justice noting that the judiciary is among the highest revenue-generating institutions in this regard.
Additionally, he discussed the significant role of Sulux (mediation) in resolving civil disputes amicably, emphasizing its alignment with Islamic principles and Somaliland’s legal traditions. He noted that mediation is increasingly trusted by the public, particularly when evidence is scarce or time is limited.
In conclusion, Chief Justice Adam Haji Ali addressed challenges facing the judiciary, which are common across national institutions, including infrastructure limitations, though progress is made annually. He identified land disputes as a major issue, driven by urbanization and rising land values, particularly in Burco, Boorama, and Berbera. However, he noted a decline in land disputes in Hargeisa due to the implementation of a modernized land information system (GIS), which has reduced fraudulent transactions and ownership conflicts. He urged the local governments of Burco and Boorama to adopt similar systems for property registration and oversight.
The Chief Justice also addressed the challenge of low public satisfaction, where some individuals pursue baseless claims through all court levels, only to reject final rulings and spread misinformation. He cautioned the public and media against such behavior and encouraged seeking balanced information to uphold justice.
He expressed gratitude to judicial staff for their dedication despite limited resources, as well as to partners, law enforcement, and constitutional institutions for their cooperation in delivering justice.
2024 Judicial Performance Report by Chief Justice Adam Haji Ali Ahmed, Supreme Court of Somaliland
Case Statistics for 2024
- Total Cases Handled: 26,716
- Civil Cases: 14,046
- Criminal Cases: 7,908
- Enforcement Cases: 3,500
- Case Resolution:
- Resolved: 22,220 (83%)
- Ongoing: 4,514 (17%)
- Comparison with 2023:
- Total Cases: 25,510
- Resolved: 22,445 (88%)
- Pending: 3,080 (12%)
- Resolution rate decreased by 5% from 2023 to 2024.
Judicial Capacity Building
- Educational Scholarships (2024): 181 personnel received fully funded or 50% subsidized scholarships.
- Training Programs: 500 personnel attended short-term courses on legal skills, first aid, fire safety, administration, and management.
Infrastructure Developments
- Supreme Court Library: Completed in 2024, serving as a hub for legal documents and research for judges and legal researchers.
- Court Renovations and Expansions:
- Extensive renovations in Sanaag, Togdheer, and Saaxil regions.
- Expansion of Awdal Regional Court.
- Foundation laid for Qol-u-jeed District Court.
Service Delivery
- Court Operations: Courts handle thousands of citizens monthly, managing case filings, complaints, and delivering efficient legal services.
- Mobile Courts: Extend legal services from district to Supreme Court levels across regions.
Revenue Generation
- Stamp duty offices at courts generated significant revenue, making the judiciary one of the highest revenue-generating institutions in Somaliland.
Mediation (Sulux)
- Sulux plays a key role in amicably resolving civil disputes, aligning with Islamic principles and Somaliland’s legal traditions.
- Increasing public trust in mediation, especially in cases with limited evidence or time constraints.
Challenges
- Infrastructure Limitations: Common across national institutions, though progress is made annually.
- Land Disputes: Major issue in Burco, Boorama, and Berbera due to urbanization and rising land values.
- Hargeisa saw a decline in disputes due to a modernized GIS-based land information system, reducing fraudulent transactions and ownership conflicts.
- Recommendation: Burco and Boorama local governments should adopt similar systems.
- Public Satisfaction: Low satisfaction due to baseless claims pursued through all court levels, with some rejecting rulings and spreading misinformation.
- Chief Justice urged the public and media to seek balanced information to uphold justice.
Acknowledgments
- Gratitude expressed to judicial staff for their dedication despite limited resources.
- Appreciation for partners, law enforcement, and constitutional institutions for their cooperation in delivering justice.