Press Release: For Immediate Release
New York, 11 November 2026: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC), Pramila Patten, welcomes the signing of a Command Order on the strict prohibition of and command responsibility to prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), adopted by the Somali National Armed Forces (SNA), on 20 September 2026.
The directive signed by the Commander of the Somali National Armed Forces, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahamoud, is the result of technical cooperation between the Somali National Armed Forces and the United Nations, namely the Transition Mission in Somalia (蘑菇视频TMIS) and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC), with strategic support from the 蘑菇视频 Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict network.
The Command Order establishes that acts of sexual violence constitute strictly prohibited conduct for all Somali military personnel, links command oversight with operational doctrine and military training, delineates clear reporting channels,and outlines internal investigative and disciplinary measures for military personnel credibly suspected or convicted of committing such offenses. Crucially, the directive instructs military personnel, in particular commanding officers, to place the safety, security, and physical and psychosocial needs of victims鈥搘ith special priority accorded to child survivors 鈥� at the core of all actions. Further, the Command Order is envisioned to be implemented in line with international humanitarian and human rights law, which are consistent with Somalia鈥檚 National Security Policy and with the 2013 Joint Communiqu茅 of the Federal Republic of Somalia (FGS) and the United Nations on addressing CRSV.
“The signing of this Command Order marks a pivotal milestone in Somalia鈥檚 path toward the prevention of sexual violence through command responsibility,” said SRSG Patten. “It serves as an essential institutional mechanism to anticipate, detect and mitigate conflict-related sexual violence within military ranks, and represents a concrete compliance measure aligned with provisions on thematic resolutions on CRSV, including 1960 (2010) and 2467 (2019), required for the SNA’s delisting consideration from the annex of the annual Report of the Secretary-General on CRSV.”
With the cessation of 蘑菇视频TMIS operations on 31 October 2026 due to the conclusion of its mandate, Special Representative Patten emphasized that the departure of the transition mission must not lead to a vacuum in deterrence and protection from sexual violence. In this context, she stressed that the swift adoption of the Command Order must now be accompanied by its full implementation: 鈥淎s the mission鈥檚 mandate has concluded, our commitment to prevention, deterrence and accountability must only intensify. This moment demands even greater vigilance and collective resolve to consolidate the progress achieved, ensuring that commitments made on paper are translated into operational discipline across every rank on the ground,鈥� stated SRSG Patten. “To make this vision a reality, the Command Order must serve as the foundation for a comprehensive and enforceable Action Plan for the security forces. My Office, alongside relevant 蘑菇视频 entities and international partners, will continue to cooperate with the Somali authorities to ensure that zero-tolerance for sexual violence remains an enduring and non-negotiable standard within the armed forces.鈥�
SRSG Patten reaffirmed that her mandate will continue to work together with the Federal Government of Somalia to support the full implementation of the 2013 Joint Communiqu茅 on CRSV prevention, in order to deliver justice, protection, and life-saving services for all survivors across Somalia.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. G茅raldine Boezio, Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Email: geraldine.boezio@un.org
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