During a visit to Somalia, Executive Director Waly promised to strengthen collaboration in addressing the various challenges facing the country, including terrorism, piracy, poverty, and the effects of climate change. Ms. Waly emphasized that these threats are interconnected and involve issues such as illegal fishing, trafficking, and money laundering. She also highlighted the impact of these issues beyond Somalia, such as the supply of firearms to terrorist groups and the exploitation of marine resources by foreign fishing fleets. Ms. Waly also expressed concern about the difficulty of policing Somalia’s long coastline and the potential for drug trafficking due to the country’s connectivity through air travel.
Ms. Waly referenced the 2013 attack on the Banadir Court Complex in Mogadishu by Al-Shabaab as an example of the challenges facing Somalia. She noted the devastating impact on the justice sector and the need for improved rule of law in the face of terrorism, organized crime, and corruption. To address this, Somalia and UNODC have been working together to establish the Mogadishu Prison Court Complex (MPCC), which was designed and delivered by UNODC in response to the attack on the Banadir Court Complex. Ms. Waly attended the inauguration of the MPCC, which includes courtrooms, prison blocks, and accommodations for judges, providing a secure environment for the judiciary and a humane setting for prisoners.
UNODC has also been supporting the construction and renovation of other legal and correctional facilities in Somalia since 2010. Ms. Waly stressed the importance of promoting the rule of law beyond Somalia’s borders, particularly in addressing piracy off the coast of Somalia. She noted a recent decline in piracy, but also highlighted the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea on shipping routes and the increase in pirate operations along the Somali coast. To combat this, UNODC is training law enforcement officers and providing essential marine equipment to enhance maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
In conclusion, Ms. Waly reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to continue and expand its work in Somalia, with the goal of promoting peace, security, and dignity for all Somali citizens.