Government
Government
Somaliland’s Constitution was officially approved in May 2001. It is considered the supreme law of the land. The 130 articles of Somaliland’s constitution clearly define the role and responsibility of the nation’s government.
To ensure a separation of power and a system of checks and balances, Somaliland’s government is made up of three branches: the Legislative, Executive and Judicial. Each branch counter checks the other and has no direct overreaching jurisdiction over the other.
Legislative Branch
For more information check out the Ministry of Parliamentary Relations & Constitutional Affairs
Executive Branch
This branch is comprised of the President and the Vice-President. Both elected into office, this branch holds the responsibility of governing the nation. Under the executive branch are Somaliland 24 ministries. Leading each ministry are the presidentially appointed ministers, vice-minsters and director generals.
For more information check out the The Government Portal
Judicial Branch
Somaliland’s judicial branch main function is to interpret and protect the country’s laws as in-structed and in accordance with the Constitution. This branch is made up of the following five courts of law:
• District Courts
• 24 District Courts
• Regional Courts
• 6 Regional Courts
• Appeal Courts
• 6 Appeal Courts
• Supreme Court
• Armed Forces Court
Sharia Law
Islam reached Somaliland in the early 17th century and has since played a major part in the day to day life, law and order of the Somaliland people. What is unique about Somaliland’s Judiciary branch is Sharia law serves as the guiding principle Somaliland law cannot contradict. However, there are no formal Sharia Courts in Somaliland.
Customary Law
Prior to Islamic influence in Somaliland, Somalis greatly relied on traditional and customary prac-tices to maintain order in the land. Somaliland, now being a democratic nation, has not change this fact. Even though the Somaliland Constitution serves as the law of the land today, customary law is still very prominent.
The Judiciary branch is where formal laws (the Constitution) and informal laws (Sharia and Cus-tomary laws) come together to protect the rights and liberties of Somaliland citizens.
For more infomation visit Ministry of Justice