NIHRC Probes Reported Civilian Killings in Lower Juba as Commission Strengthens Institutional Capacity Through RWI Partnership

MOGADISHU – The National Independent Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has opened a preliminary inquiry into a deeply concerning alleged incident that occurred on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, in Digta Margoos (Kamjiroon area), Lower Juba region, where several civilians were reportedly killed by armed individuals.

Pursuant to its constitutional mandate to monitor human rights and investigate violations across the country, the Commission is actively verifying the circumstances surrounding the incident. The NIHRC is currently engaging with local authorities, community representatives, and independent observers in the region to gather accurate and reliable information.

Commission Calls for Protection of Civilians, Accountability

The Commission emphasizes that the protection of civilian lives and the safeguarding of personal security are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution of Somalia and international human rights and humanitarian law. Security and judicial institutions must work diligently to ensure stability and protect communities from violence.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the Commission has confirmed that it is coordinating with local authorities, civil society groups, and independent sources to obtain complete and reliable information[reference:3]. Dr. Maryan Qasim, Chairperson of the NIHRC, has extended her profound condolences to the families of the victims and those affected by the incident. The Commission remains firmly committed to its oversight role under its mandate to monitor, investigate, and report on the state of human rights across Somalia and will continue to closely follow developments in the area to ensure that human rights and accountability are upheld.

Strengthening Institutional Capacity Through International Partnership

The Commission’s ongoing efforts to fulfill its mandate have received a significant boost through a strategic partnership with an international human rights institution. The Somali National Human Rights Commission (SNHRC) and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Mogadishu aimed at strengthening the institutional foundation and operational capacity of the Commission in line with the internationally recognized Paris Principles.

The Somali government has been actively building international support for the Commission, with Chairperson Maryan Qasim recently meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Di Mauro, to broaden support for the Commission’s activities and improve its institutional capacity. The Commission, which was formally established in December 2025 when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud signed a decree appointing its members on International Human Rights Day, fulfills a key requirement of the Provisional Constitution and represents a significant milestone in Somalia’s state-building process.

Leadership Committed to Independence and Transparency

The Commission’s leadership has been actively engaging international partners to secure technical and financial resources, with Chairperson Dr. Maryam Qasim Ahmed – elected to lead the body in February 2026 – bringing over four decades of experience in human rights, social services, and public leadership. The Commission’s Deputy Chairperson, Mohamed Harun Mohamud, has held strategic meetings with Switzerland’s Ambassador to Somalia, confirming the institution’s alignment with the Paris Principles and its commitment to operate with complete independence and strict neutrality.

The partnership with RWI will focus on institutional development, strengthening governance systems, enhancing staff capacity, exchanging expertise, and promoting and protecting human rights, with the goal of building an effective, credible, and independent national human rights institution. The agreement was signed by Chairperson Dr. Maryan Qasim and RWI Executive Director Peter Lundberg during a high-level meeting in Mogadishu, marking a significant milestone in the Commission’s institutional development.

A Growing Institutional Framework for Human Rights

The Commission comprises nine members selected through a competitive examination process, with the full slate approved by Somalia’s Council of Ministers in accordance with national legal frameworks governing independent constitutional bodies. Commissioner Farhan Jimale has previously described the creation of the body as “an act of national healing,” affirming that Somalia is ready to govern itself not only by strength but by justice and principle.

As the NIHRC continues to pursue its preliminary investigation into the Lower Juba killings, its expanding international partnerships and strengthening institutional capacity signal a growing commitment to accountability, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights across Somalia.