By Salahudiin Ahmed - Reporter
Somalia, 21 April 2026 Puntland swore in eight military court officials Monday to strengthen justice and handle military and serious crimes cases.
The ceremony was attended by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohamed Baari Shire, and Second Deputy Speaker Mahmoud Mohamed Isse.
The president urged the newly appointed officials to carry out their duties with fairness and integrity, emphasizing that military courts play a critical role in maintaining discipline within the armed forces and addressing serious crimes.
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The sworn-in members include chairpersons, judges, prosecutors, and assistants, who will serve in both the Supreme Military Court and the First Instance Military Court for Armed Forces and Serious Crimes in Puntland.
Deni acknowledged concerns over corruption within Puntland’s judicial system, stating that several court officials had previously been detained over misconduct, and warned that similar action would be taken against anyone involved in corruption or malpractice. He further noted that traditional elders and some officials have, at times, interfered with judicial decisions.
The move comes as Puntland intensifies efforts to strengthen its judicial institutions to ensure transparent and effective justice in cases involving the military and serious crimes. Authorities also plan to introduce measures to allow court proceedings to be publicly observed.