Somalia unveils new CID court building in Mogadishu

Somalia unveils new CID court building in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia – As one of the key strategies to enhance social justice and security, authorities in Somalia have unveiled a new building that will house the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and a public court, which will also serve as a prison complex.

Somalia has been pursuing transparency in prosecution and justice for decades, with the Ministry of Justice struggling for years to streamline operations, in addition to having physical and designated operating rooms.

The new CID headquarters was made possible through the Joint Police Program and funded by international partners, who have played a key role in rebuilding the country. The donors are keen to see more reforms in the country’s police and justice system.

“The CID office building we inaugurate today is central to our criminal justice system and our crime prevention efforts in Somalia,” a Somali Police representative said at the inauguration.

Judicial reforms in the country are a major concern for international partners, who are deploying significant resources to streamline services and respect human rights. Somalia scores low in the preservation of human rights worldwide.

“This new complex has significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of our prison system and contributed to significant improvements in the rehabilitation and safety of prisoners,” an official from Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs explained.

Some of the members of the international community supporting the stabilization course include the African Union, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had promised “radical reforms” in the economy and the legal system.

The Deputy EU Ambassador to Somalia, Thomas Kieler, emphasized the crucial role of these facilities in the country’s progress towards peace and the rule of law. “The Criminal Investigations Directorate will be important in this regard for building capacity and providing services to citizens,” Kieler said.

GAROWE ONLINE