Mogadishu, Somalia, July 14, 2026 — Independence House has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA) of the Federal Republic of Somalia, formalizing a strategic partnership to advance the rule of law, protect human rights, and strengthen access to justice across the country.

The agreement was signed by Hassan Mohamud, Executive Director of Independence House, and Faisal Adan Hassan, Permanent Secretary of MoJCA, at a ceremony in Mogadishu.

The MoU establishes a framework for joint action across seven areas of cooperation: legal awareness and public outreach, advocacy and policy reform, research and publications, capacity building, legal aid and accountability, gender equity and inclusion, and information sharing. Under the agreement, the two institutions will co-develop public legal education campaigns, conduct joint research on human rights and constitutional development, deliver training for legal professionals and civil society, and support referral pathways for victims of human rights violations.

The partnership is grounded in shared commitments to impartiality, transparency, gender equity, and the supremacy of law. It is valid for five years, renewable by mutual written agreement, and can be terminated by either party with sixty days’ written notice.

For Independence House, the MoU represents a significant step in its institutional growth, anchoring its advocacy and media monitoring work in a formal, government-recognized partnership. It positions the organization as a credible, sustained collaborator in Somalia’s justice sector reform process, opening the door to joint publications, co-branded initiatives, and expanded reach with government, donor, and civil society audiences.