Mogadishu (SPT) – Elections for the leadership of Somalia’s National Independent Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) were held today in Mogadishu after being postponed last week due to technical challenges and intense political competition. The vote determines the commission’s leadership and strategic direction for the next four years.
Members of the nine-person commission elected Dr. Mariam Qasim Ahmed as chair during the second round of voting, securing a majority of votes. Dr. Qasim is a public health physician with over thirty years of experience, including ministerial roles in health, education, disaster management, and humanitarian relief within the Somali federal government.
She competed closely with Dr. Omar Abdullahi Aliso, a human rights lawyer with a PhD in International Human Rights and the Law of War from the University of Essex. Dr. Aliso brings over twenty-five years of experience, including work with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on the protection of women’s and children’s rights, as well as senior advisory roles with the United Nations. Former government spokesperson Farhan Jamali, initially a candidate, withdrew from the race, heightening the competition between the remaining contenders.
The commission members previously passed a qualification exam conducted by Somalia’s Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development in May 2025 and subsequently received approval from the Cabinet and Federal Parliament.
Dr. Qasim’s election emphasizes professional expertise in Somalia’s human rights institutions. Her leadership suggests continuity, institutional stability, and a strategic focus on addressing human rights issues effectively and systematically.
The NIHRC’s independence and credibility are essential in Somalia’s fragile governance and security environment. Leadership transitions in the commission reflect the balance between technical expertise and political negotiation, demonstrating the government’s commitment to reinforcing human rights oversight.
The election of Dr. Mariam Qasim reinforces the institutional capacity of Somalia’s human rights commission and positions it to play a stronger role in shaping national policies, protecting vulnerable populations, and ensuring adherence to international human rights standards over the next four years.
