Somalia's independent commissions: what each one does

Why there are independent commissions

Chapter 10 of the 2012 Provisional Constitution says Somalia shall have independent commissions at both federal and member-state level. Their duties and numbers are set by laws passed by both houses of parliament, and the member states must be consulted when commissioners are chosen (Provisional Constitution 2012, Article 111, via Constitute Project).

Most commissioners are chosen the same way. The relevant minister proposes names. The Council of Ministers approves them. The relevant house of parliament approves them. The President then formally appoints them (Article 112).

The constitution also names three independent offices that every level of government should have: the Attorney General, the Auditor General and the Central Bank (Article 114). Each has its own page.

The commissions, one by one

Human Rights Commission. It promotes and monitors human rights, investigates and reports on abuses, seeks redress for victims, does research and teaches officials and the public about rights. It has at most nine members (Article 111B). The House of the People approved a new set of nine members in October 2025; they choose their own chair (Dawan Africa, October 2025). Its chair also sits on the Supreme Judicial Council (Dawan Africa, July 2026).

Anti-Corruption Commission. It investigates corruption in the public sector, on a complaint or on its own initiative. It can freeze, seize and return the proceeds of crime. Its scope covers bribery of officials, embezzlement, trading in influence, abuse of office and illicit enrichment (Article 111C). Its nine members were sworn in by the Chief Justice in April 2021 and elected Mohamed Hussein Hamud as chair on 4 May 2021 (Horn Observer, May 2021).

National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC). The constitution gives the electoral commission the job of registering voters and candidates, drawing constituencies, regulating parties and settling election disputes (Article 111G). Parliament passed the law setting up the NIEBC in November 2024 (ConstitutionNet, International IDEA, April 2026). Its chair is Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan. In 2025 it registered 918,890 people across Mogadishu's 16 districts, the first such registration in decades (Dawan Africa, 2025). In 2026 it opened offices with the national ID agency in Galgaduud and began registration in Mudug and Middle Shabelle (Dawan Africa, 2026). It also appointed a registrar of political parties (Dawan Africa).

Boundaries and Federation Commission. It studies maps, population and economic data and advises parliament on the borders of federal member states. Parliament makes the final decision (Article 111E). The 2024 law gave the electoral commission the name "Electoral and Boundaries Commission", joining the two jobs in its title.

Inter-State Commission. It helps the federal and state governments work together and settle administrative and political disputes. The Prime Minister appoints members, and each state appoints at least as many (Article 111F).

Judicial Service Commission. It advises on hiring, discipline and removal of judges and protects the courts' independence (Article 111A). Under the 2026 constitution this work sits with the Supreme Judicial Council. See Somalia's courts.

Parliamentary Service Commission. It runs the services, staff and budget of parliament. The two Speakers lead it, with four House members and two Upper House members, at least three of them women, and one outside expert (Article 111D).

National Security Commission. It is meant to design a national security framework, put human security first and give the public a way to follow security spending (Article 111H).

Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It is meant to help national healing by recording what happened, supporting reparation and promoting forgiveness. Elders, members of parliament, civil society, judges and security staff should all sit on it (Article 111I).

Ombudsman. An office that investigates complaints of abuse of power, unfair treatment or corruption by any public officer, from a ministry to the police. The Ombudsman serves seven years (Article 111J).

The review commission

A separate body, the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC), drafted the 2024 and 2026 amendments to the constitution (ConstitutionNet, April 2026).

How to use them

• A rights complaint: take it to the Human Rights Commission in Mogadishu, or to the human rights body of your state. Somaliland and Puntland have their own.
• A corruption report: the Anti-Corruption Commission can act on complaints from anyone.
• Registration: the NIEBC registers people at district centres, often alongside the national ID agency. See National ID (NIRA).

Its legal basis

Chapter 10 of the 2012 Provisional Constitution (Articles 111 to 114), the laws that set up each commission, and the 2024 electoral laws.