By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, July 14 2026 – A representative of people with disabilities in Somalia said on Tuesday that the lack of official recognition for Somali Sign Language is excluding deaf citizens from elections and limiting their ability to seek public office.
Speaking at the opening of the Third Somalia Development Forum (SDF2026) in Mogadishu, Muse Hassan Ahmed said deaf Somalis could not fully participate in the political process because their language had yet to receive official recognition.
“We cannot participate in elections without recognition of our language,” Ahmed said. “I had hoped we would take part in elections and hold major public offices, but unfortunately our rights have not been granted.”
Addressing Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama and Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Ali Yusuf Ali ‘Hosh’, who attended the forum, Ahmed called on the government to approve Somali Sign Language.
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He said members of the deaf community were being marginalized and mistreated because of the lack of formal recognition and accessibility.
“Allow us to live,” Ahmed said. “Allow us to live.”
The Somalia Development Forum 2026 is jointly organized by the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies and City University of Mogadishu.
Ahmed said a proposal to officially recognize Somali Sign Language has remained before the Ministry of Education for three years and urged the government to approve it, saying recognition was essential to ensuring deaf citizens could participate fully in elections and public life.