By Zakaria Soohoyde - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 27 September 2026 Somalia's House of the People has approved the International Judicial Cooperation Bill, legislation that provides a legal framework for cooperation between Somalia's justice system and judicial authorities in other countries.
The bill was approved after a vote in which 130 lawmakers voted in favour, nine against and two abstained, according to Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, who announced the result.
The legislation was submitted by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and presented to Parliament by the House committee responsible for justice and religious affairs.
The bill initially contained five chapters, although some provisions were amended during the parliamentary process.
The proposed law sets out procedures for how Somalia can cooperate with other countries when a criminal case crosses national borders.
This includes mutual legal assistance, the extradition of suspects or convicted persons, and the transfer of convicted prisoners.
Such cooperation can involve assistance with criminal investigations, obtaining evidence, judicial proceedings and the enforcement or transfer of sentences, subject to procedures established by law.
Related articles
One of the most debated issues during parliamentary discussions was a provision concerning the extradition of Somali nationals who also hold the nationality of another country.
Lawmakers raised concerns over a provision that would allow a Somali national accused or convicted of an offence to be transferred to the judicial authorities of another country where the alleged offence was committed.
Under the bill, decisions relating to extradition would involve the competent Somali authorities, including the Minister of Justice, the Supreme Court and the Attorney General, depending on circumstances and procedure provided for under the legislation.
The bill also provides that where a person is to be extradited from Somalia to another country, the Minister of Justice would have a role in the decision-making process.
The legislation is therefore intended to establish a formal procedure rather than leaving cross-border criminal cooperation to ad hoc arrangements.
The bill now moves to the Upper House of the Federal Parliament, where it will undergo the next stages of the legislative process.
If enacted, the law would provide Somalia with a clearer domestic framework for cooperating with foreign judicial authorities in cases involving cross-border crime, while setting out procedures for legal assistance, extradition and the transfer of prisoners.