The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a historic resolution granting Somalia the right to full and independent control over human rights affairs, a step not achieved since 1993. This decision eliminates the need for an international expert appointed every two years to monitor the human rights situation in the country.

According to the Somali News Agency, this historic victory came during a vote held in Geneva, Switzerland, reflecting Somalia’s continued success on the international stage after previously winning the lifting of the arms embargo and debt relief.

The Minister of Family and Human Rights Development in the Somali Federal Government, Ambassador Khadija Mohamed Mokhzoumi, who headed the Somali delegation in Geneva, described this achievement as a great victory for the Somali people.

In a related move, the Federal Government Cabinet unanimously approved on September 25, 2025, a decision to end the mandate of the independent expert on the human rights situation in Somalia, with the mission to be officially closed by the end of October 2025.

This decision is part of the Human Rights Transition Plan (2025-2026), which aims to enable Somalia to take full responsibility for monitoring and following up on the human rights situation, in accordance with international laws and the national constitution.

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre affirmed that the government places special importance on completing and activating the Independent National Human Rights Commission, as the national body concerned with protecting and promoting rights. The government explained that this step reflects political readiness and national responsibility to transition from temporary international mechanisms to permanent and independent national mechanisms.