Background

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA) of the Federal Government of Somalia is the lead institution of justice and constitutional affairs mandated to develop justice policies, coordinate, and oversee the justice sector, directly provide a range of justice services, and the lead government agency for legislation and agreement drafting, and international cooperation.
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MJCA) is a government ministry of the Federal Republic of Somalia. It is responsible for legal policy, policy on administration of Justice, Constitutional Matters and the provision of legal advice and legal services to government, its allied institutions and to the Somali Citizens to support the machinery that provides the legal framework for good governance.

Brief history

The Ministry of Justice was established in 1956 during the Somali-Italian interim government era before the independence of Somalia. The ministry was established with the aim of achieving sustainable democratic system of governance that operates within a clearly defined and predictable legal environment. Until the collapse of the government in 1991, there existed a Ministry of Justice and Religious Affairs.
In 2000, the Transitional National Government (TNG) made several attempts to re-establish the Ministry but to no avail. Following the establishment of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in 2004, the Ministry was revived. Although it took different names according to its remit and roles, yet it continued to exist during the transitional period. Further steps were also taken towards the establishment of various departments within the Ministry as well as constituent and affiliated bodies under its jurisdiction.
On 4 November 2012, when the first cabinet of the new Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) was appointed, the Ministry became the Ministry of Justice, Religious, Constitutional and Reconciliation Affairs (MoJRCR). Later, following the formation of the second cabinet on January 2014, the Justice and Constitution portfolios remained in the Ministry and it was titled the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJC).
In January 2015, during the third cabinet, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) became an independent entity after the formation of the third cabinet of the FGS when its Constitution portfolio was detached following some political pressure on the incoming Prime Minister by Parliament. Today, the Ministry of Justice is composed of the following five departments: Admin and HR, Planning and Development, Judicial Affairs, Legislations and Agreements, Corrections and Rehabilitation Centers. Also under its jurisdiction is the coordination of other affiliated entities including Custodial Corps, Office of the Attorney General, Judiciary Training Center, the Judiciary Service Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission.