A top United Nations human rights expert has called on the international community to intensify support for Somalia’s battle against terrorism, warning that the country faces “extraordinary challenges” as it confronts Al-Shabaab and Daesh insurgents under tight security and resource constraints.
Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, issued a stark assessment at the end of an official visit to Somalia, urging global partners not to walk away from the Horn of Africa nation during a critical phase in its stabilisation process.
“This is a critical moment for Somalia,” Saul said in a statement issued Wednesday. “Sustained international engagement is essential to support national efforts to build lasting peace, strengthen rule of law, and protect human rights while countering terrorism.”
Somalia has spent decades grappling with violent extremism, with Al-Shabaab maintaining strongholds in parts of the south and center of the country, despite significant military pressure.
The group continues to wage deadly attacks on civilians, government targets, and humanitarian operations. More recently, Daesh has established a foothold in the northeast, compounding security threats.
While acknowledging the Somali government's efforts, including military operations, intelligence gathering, and counter-radicalisation initiatives, Saul warned that some tactics used in the fight against terror risk undermining basic human rights.
“I recognise the extensive efforts by the Somali authorities to prevent terrorism through a comprehensive strategy,” Saul said. “But I also acknowledge Somalia’s severe security and resource constraints.”
Saul expressed alarm over Somalia’s broad legal definitions of terrorism, which he said could be used to target dissent, restrict media freedom, and suppress civil society.
“Somalia has adopted excessive and over broad terrorist definitions and offences, as well as expansive intelligence and security powers that could compromise fundamental human rights,” he said.
Of particular concern, Saul noted that some terrorism-related charges in Somalia carry the death penalty even in cases that do not involve intentional killing—an approach that violates international legal norms.
“Terrorism offences attracting the death penalty must meet the strict threshold of involving intentional killing,” he cautioned.
He further highlighted systemic abuses within the justice system, citing reports of arbitrary arrests, prolonged pre-trial detention, lack of legal representation, and enforced disappearances. Use of excessive force and poor conditions in detention centers were also flagged as serious violations.
“Prison conditions also do not meet international standards,” Saul warned, adding that “the use of military courts to try terrorist suspects lacks sufficient independence and fair trial safeguards.”
Children, Women, and the Cost of War worry much the UN expert singling out widespread violations against children caught in the crossfire of conflict, including reports of killings, maiming, forced recruitment by armed groups, sexual violence, and trafficking.
“I am deeply concerned about widespread violations against children in armed conflict,” Saul said. “These are war crimes and must be treated as such.”
He also urged Somalia to prioritise rehabilitation for former combatants, particularly women survivors of sexual and gender-based violence who were recruited or abducted by extremist groups.
“With international support, Somalia must establish and adequately resource rehabilitation and reintegration centres and programmes,” Saul urged.
Issuing a Red Lines on Counter-Terrorism Measures, Saul cautioned against counter-terrorism legislation that inadvertently blocks humanitarian operations or limits the media's ability to report freely.
Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly flagged how counter-terrorism financing laws, including restrictions on engaging with groups like Al-Shabaab, can hinder aid delivery in crisis-affected regions.
“Counter-terrorism laws are also adversely affecting the freedom of the media to report on security matters and restricting and chilling the human rights work of civil society organisations,” Saul said.
He pressed Somali authorities to “establish independent and effective oversight and accountability mechanisms” for all security actors, while urging a renewed focus on conflict resolution, good governance, and inclusion of marginalised groups.
“Somalia must redouble efforts to address root causes, pursue peace-making, strive for inclusive governance, and combat corruption, poverty, and discrimination against minorities,” he emphasised.
Saul has sounded an alarm over recent cuts in international aid and support to Somalia, warning that such withdrawals could reverse fragile gains.
“I encourage international partners to maintain political and financial support for Somalia, in the face of devastating recent funding cuts by some donors,” he said.
Saul’s findings and recommendations will be presented in a comprehensive report to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2026. But his immediate message was clear: Somalia’s struggle against terrorism is a global concern, and the world must not turn away.
“The Somali people have endured so much,” Saul said. “They deserve the world’s solidarity—not abandonment.”