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Somalia

Somalia acceded to the Convention on 16 April 2012, with the Convention entering into force for Somalia on 1 October 2012. With Somalia’s accession all of Sub-Saharan Africa is now bound by the Convention.

Obligations under the Convention

In its initial transparency report submitted on 30 March 2013, Somalia reported having stockpiled anti-personnel mines under its ownership or possession or under its jurisdiction or control.

In its initial transparency report submitted on 30 March 2013, Somalia reported having stockpiled anti-personnel mines under its ownership or possession or under its jurisdiction or control.

In accordance with Article 4 of the Convention, Somalia undertook to destroy or ensure the destruction of all stockpiled anti-personnel mines it owns or possesses, or that are under its jurisdiction or control, as soon as possible but not later than four years after the entry into force of this Convention or 1 October 2016.

In its initial transparency report Somalia reported areas under its jurisdiction or control in which anti-personnel mines were known or suspected to be emplaced.

In accordance with Article 5 of the Convention, Somalia undertook to destroy or ensure the destruction of all anti-personnel mines in these areas as soon as possible but not later than ten years after the entry into force of the Convention, or 1 October 2022.

On 20 April 2021, Somalia submitted a request to extend said deadline. The request was considered by the Nineteenth Meeting of the States Parties, and a new date set for 1 October 2027.

On 2 June 2023, Somalia acted upon the decisions of the Nineteenth Meeting of the States Parties by submitting an updated work plan for the implementation of Article 5 of the Convention.

Extension Request Process

Somalia has indicated having significant numbers – hundreds or thousands – of landmine survivors.

Somalia is also a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Annually and no later than 30 April, each State Party is to update information covering the previous calendar year. The latest Article 7 reports for this State Party can be found on this page. 

Article 9 of the Convention states that “each State Party shall take all appropriate legal, administrative and other measures, including the imposition of penal sanctions, to prevent and suppress any activity prohibited to a State Party under this Convention undertaken by persons or on territory under its jurisdiction or control.”

Somalia is still required to report on established national implementation measures or whether it considers existing legislation to be sufficient. 

Individualised Approach

Somalia National Victim Assistance and Disability Action Plan

Somalia's first National Plan for Disabilities and Victim Assistance was launched by the Ministry of Gender and Human Rights during the Oslo Review Conference on a Mine-Free World in 2019. The Plan represents an important initial step in Somalia’s progress towards ensuring that Somalis with disabilities, including survivors of mines and other explosive hazards are able to fully realise their human rights. Mr Abdinasir Saed Muse, Deputy Minister of Internal Security, together with the Directors of the Somali Mine Action Centre and UNMAS launched the plan internationally. News by the Somali News National Agency

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