Somali Government Defends Supreme Court Chief Justice’s Dismissal Amid UN Concerns

Somalia’s Federal Government has defended its decision to remove former Supreme Court Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed, rejecting concerns raised by United Nations experts over the legality of his dismissal and its implications for judicial independence.

In a statement, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs responded to a communication issued by UN experts on 12 November 2026, expressing concern over the state of Somalia’s judiciary. The government said the experts had not first sought clarification from the authorities or provided specific questions for an official response.

According to the ministry, Bashe Yusuf Ahmed was removed from office on 4 November 2026. The government maintained that the decision followed the applicable transitional legal procedures and was unrelated to cases pending before the Supreme Court.

The ministry further stated that decisions issued by Bashe Yusuf after his dismissal would not be recognised as legally binding, arguing that he no longer held the position of chief justice. It also maintained that those decisions had no legal effect on the 2026 Constitution, including rulings concerning constitutional amendments and the terms of office of state institutions.

The Ministry of Justice reaffirmed the government’s commitment to judicial independence and the separation of powers, adding that disputes involving the judiciary should be resolved through established legal and institutional procedures.

The response comes amid an ongoing dispute over Bashe Yusuf Ahmed’s dismissal, which he has described as unlawful, and disagreements over the validity of Supreme Court decisions issued under his leadership.