The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Africa
Judicial branch Somalia, in 36 editions.
The entry for Somalia published Judicial branch in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 22 editions. Each is shown as published. Judicial branch in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 22
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Judicial branch” (1990 to 2025).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2025 edition
Changed since 2024Supreme Court Chief of State--President and Commander in Chief of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre (since 21 October 1969); Head of Government--Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Mohamed Ali SAMANTAR (since 1 February 1987)
Supreme Court Chief of State--President and Commander in Chief of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre (since 21 October 1969); Head of Government--Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Mohamed Ali SAMANTAR (since 1 February 1987)
- Supreme Court Chief of State--Interim President ALI Mahdi Mohamed (since 27 January 1991);
- Head of Government--Prime Minister OMAR Arteh Ghalib (since 27 January 1991);
- Deputy Prime Minister MOHAMED Abshir Mussa (since 27 January 1991)
Rewritten: too little of the 1990 text remains to mark the changes.
Supreme Court Chief of State--Interim President ALI Mahdi Mohamed (since 27 January 1991); Head of Government--Prime Minister OMAR Arteh Ghalib (since 27 January 1991); Deputy Prime Minister MOHAMED Abshir Mussa (since 27 January 1991)
Supreme Court
Rewritten: too little of the 1991 text remains to mark the changes.
Supreme Court
The same text in 1993 and 1994.
Supreme Court (non-functioning)
Supreme Court (non-functioning)
The same text in 3 editions, 1995 to 1997.
Supreme Court (not functioning)
Supreme Court (non-functioning) (not functioning)
(not functioning); note-following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
Supreme Court (not functioning) functioning); note-following the breakdown of
national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic law with a
provision for appeal of all sentences
(not functioning); note--following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
(not functioning); note-following note--following the breakdown of
of national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic law
with a
(not functioning); note - following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
(not functioning); note--following note - following the breakdown
The same text in 2001 and 2002.
following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
(not functioning); note - following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
The same text in 2003 and 2004.
following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to either Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences, or traditional clan-based arbitration
following the breakdown of national government, most regions have reverted to either Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences sentences, or traditional clan-based arbitration
following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional clan-based arbitration, or Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
following the breakdown of national the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional clan-based arbitration, or Islamic (Shari'a) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences, or traditional clan-based arbitration sentences
The same text in 2006 and 2007.
following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Shari'a (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional clan-based arbitration, Somali customary law, or Islamic (Shari'a) Shari'a (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
The same text in 2008 and 2009.
following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Shari'a Sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
The same text in 2010 and 2011.
following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Sharia sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
- Constitutional Court;
- Federal Government-level courts;
- Federal Member-level courts
note: these courts have yet to be established; in their absence most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
following the breakdown of the central government, Constitutional Court; Federal Government-level courts; Federal Member-level courts
note:
these courts have yet to be established; in their absence most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
- highest court(s):
Transitional Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges)
- note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter (TNC), a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established;
- yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Council, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- Transitional Appeal Court;
- regional and district courts;
- sharia (Islamic courts)
Rewritten: too little of the 2012 text remains to mark the changes.
highest court(s):
Transitional Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges)
note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter (TNC), a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
judge selection and term of office:
judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Council, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts:
Transitional Appeal Court; regional and district courts; sharia (Islamic courts)
- highest court(s):
the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief judge and deputy chief judge)
- note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter (TNC), a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established;
- yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- federal- and federal member state-level courts;
- military courts;
- sharia (Islamic) courts
highest court(s):Transitional Supreme the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief justice judge and 3 judges) deputy chief judge)
note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter (TNC), a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
judge selection and term of office:
judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Council, Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts:Transitional Appeal Court; regional federal- and district federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia (Islamic courts) (Islamic) courts
- highest court(s):
- the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief judge and deputy chief judge);
- note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established;
- yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- federal- and federal member state-level courts;
- military courts;
- sharia (Islamic) courts
highest court(s):judge)judge); note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter (TNC), Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
judge selection and term of office:
subordinate courts:
- highest court(s):
- the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief judge and deputy chief judge);
- note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established;
- yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- federal- and federal member state-level courts;
- military courts;
- sharia Islamic courts
highest court(s): the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief judge and deputy chief judge); note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: federal- and federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia (Islamic) Islamic courts
- highest court(s):
- the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief judge and deputy chief judge);
- note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established;
- yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- federal courts;
- federal member state-level courts;
- military courts;
- sharia courts
highest court(s): the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges including the chief judge and deputy chief judge); note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: federal- and federal courts; federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia Islamic courts
The same text in 4 editions, 2018 to 2021.
- highest courts:
- the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, including the chief judge and deputy chief judge);
- note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and the Appeal Court were established;
- yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Islamic law
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- federal courts;
- federal member state-level courts;
- military courts;
- sharia courts
highest court(s): courts: the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges judges, including the chief judge and deputy chief judge); note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and an the Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia Islamic law
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: federal courts; federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia courts
The same text in 3 editions, 2022 to 2024.
- highest court(s):
- the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, including the chief judge and deputy chief judge);
- note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and the Appeal Court were established;
- yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Islamic law
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- federal courts;
- federal member state-level courts;
- military courts;
- sharia courts
highest courts: court(s): the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, including the chief judge and deputy chief judge); note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and the Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Islamic law
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: federal courts; federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia courts
- highest court(s):
- the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, including the chief judge and deputy chief judge)
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president on proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- federal courts;
- federal member state-level courts;
- military courts;
- sharia courts
note: under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and the Appeal Court were established, but most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, whether secular, Somali customary law, or Islamic law
highest court(s): the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, including the chief judge and deputy chief judge); note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and the Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Islamic law judge)
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon on proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: federal courts; federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia courts
note: under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and the Appeal Court were established, but most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, whether secular, Somali customary law, or Islamic law
No edition has those words. Try a shorter word.
Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Somalia: Judicial branch.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/somalia/judicial-branch.