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Profile | Bosaso, Puntland – Somalia | 2026
RSU- Legal Aid Clinic Center is a vital resource dedicated to advancing justice and empowering communities across Somalia. Founded by Faculty of Sharia and Law at Red Sea University at end of 2023, and it operates within the premises of Red Sea University. The clinic serves as a beacon of legal assistance, particularly for those who cannot afford legal services. It offers free legal aid, advocacy and representation to financially disadvantaged individuals unable to cover legal expenses, as well as to vulnerable groups. These include women, children, juvenile delinquents, internally displaced persons (IDPs), people with disabilities, unaccompanied minors and refugees, addressing both criminal and civil legal needs. The Legal Aid Clinic Center also conducts clinical legal education programs for senior law students (current students and faculty’s alumni) as well as future justice workers . Our team of dedicated legal professionals, comprised of faculty members, lawyers, paralegals, is committed to promoting human rights, fostering legal education, and addressing socio-legal issues within our society.
To build a just society where all individuals have equitable access to legal resources and rights are protected.
The Legal Aid Clinic Center is dedicated to advancing access to justice, promoting human rights, and fostering legal empowerment within vulnerable Somali communities and refugees. Through free legal services, education, advocacy and representing, we strive to address socio-legal challenges, empower individuals, and contribute to the development of a fair and inclusive legal system.
We believe in the inherent dignity and rights of every individual, and we are committed to promoting fairness, equality, and the rule of law in all aspects of our work.
We empower individuals, women and communities by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and resources to assert their rights, navigate the legal system, and advocate for positive change.
We adhere to the highest ethical standards, maintaining transparency, honesty, and professionalism in all our interactions and endeavors.
We value collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders, including students, faculty, legal professionals, government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and community organizations, recognizing that collective action is essential to address complex legal challenges effectively.
We embrace innovation and creativity in our approach to legal advocacy, service delivery, and community engagement, continuously seeking new and effective ways to advance our mission and serve the evolving needs of our vulnerable communities as well as refugees.
We hold ourselves accountable to the communities we serve, our stakeholders, and each other, ensuring that our actions are guided by principles of transparency, responsibility, and responsiveness.
Our clinic offers free legal consultations to individuals and communities in need. Whether it’s guidance on human rights, civil matters, family disputes, land rights, or criminal concerns, our experienced team provides comprehensive advice and support.
For individuals who are unable to afford private legal services, the Clinic offers pro bono legal representation before courts and relevant authorities. This includes defense, advocacy, case preparation, and court appearances to ensure the protection of clients’ legal rights.
The Clinic facilitates and supports alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation, negotiation, and community-based dispute settlement processes. These approaches aim to provide efficient, cost-effective, and amicable solutions while preserving social harmony in both custom tradition, and sharia provisions .
Conducting public awareness campaigns and outreach activities to increase understanding of legal rights, court procedures, dispute resolution mechanisms, and access-to-justice pathways.
We conduct workshops, seminars, and outreach programs to educate communities about their legal rights, responsibilities, and avenues for seeking justice. These initiatives aim to empower individuals with legal knowledge and promote a culture of legal awareness and compliance. The Legal Aid Clinic Center also hosts specialized clinical legal education programs designed for senior law students (both current students and alumni) as well as future justice workers.
Through collaborative research projects and advocacy campaigns, our clinic seeks to address systemic legal issues and promote legislative reforms that uphold the principles of fairness, equality, and justice.
The Legal Aid Clinic Center collaborates with government agencies in Puntland, non-governmental organizations, legal aid networks, and community-based organizations to maximize our impact and reach. Through strategic partnerships, we leverage resources, expertise, and networks to expand the scope of our services and advocate for systemic change .
Offering free legal consultations, advocacy, and representations to individuals and communities who lack access to legal services due to financial constraints or social barriers including refugees and IDPs.
Providing legal representation, advocacy, and support services to juveniles involved in legal proceedings and representing.
Engaging students and faculty members of Red Sea University in legal education, clinical legal practice, and community service initiatives .
Collaborating with government agencies involved in the justice system to advocate for reforms, address systemic issues, and improve access to justice for all .
Partnering with NGOs working on related issues such as human rights, child welfare, and access to justice to leverage resources and maximize impact.
Collaborating with grassroots organizations to reach and serve marginalized communities, raise awareness about legal rights, and address local legal challenges.
Offering avenues for legal professionals, including women (University Law Alumni and other graduates), to apply their legal expertise within courtrooms, provide representation for the accused, volunteer their skills, mentor students, and support the delivery of pro bono legal assistance.
Raising awareness about legal rights, responsibilities, and available legal services through community outreach, workshops, and educational campaigns.
Department of Law at Faculty of Sharia and Law, Red Sea University (RSU) has long aspired to establish a dedicated Legal Aid Clinic Center from 2008, aimed at strengthening both community legal education, awareness and community legal services. This initiative creates a practical learning platform where senior law students, recent graduates, and junior lawyers gain hands-on legal experience while actively contributing to the justice sector. At the same time, it enhances the capacity of the Department of Law by institutionalizing a unit focused on developing the professional competencies of students, alumni, and faculty members.
The Center was established to bridge the gap between theoretical legal instruction and real-world legal practice.
It promotes research on justice-related challenges, delivers community-based legal awareness programs, and responds to the pressing need for improved access to justice within Puntland’s regional and local communities. Through the provision of free legal aid services, particularly to vulnerable groups, the Center seeks to advance access to justice for all.
A formal proposal was submitted in September 2023, and in early 2024 the Center received official recognition by the Puntland State of Somalia and was licensed by the Puntland Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs, Constitution, and Rehabilitation. This approval marked a significant milestone, leading to the official inauguration of the Red Sea University Legal Aid Clinic Center (RSU-LACC) and the commencement of its operations in April 2024
RSU-LACC operates with a dual mandate: enhancing practical legal education and delivering essential legal aid services. Its core areas of focus include:
The Center works in close coordination with the Puntland Ministry of Justice, courts, office of general attorney / persecutor, office of Puntland’s human right defender, police institutions and community based organizations, any another concerned bodies.
Government representatives expressed strong support for the initiative and emphasized its importance. Leaders of IDP and refugee communities also welcomed the establishment of the Center, recognizing its potential to address the legal challenges facing their communities.
On April 27, 2024, a fruitful and high-level meeting was held in Bosaso between the Red Sea University, led by University President Prof. Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan, and key justice-sector institutions.
Participants included:
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the newly established RSU Legal Aid Clinic Center, which will provide free legal support to vulnerable community members. The justice officials welcomed the initiative, commending its timeliness and expressing their commitment to collaborating with the center in a transparent, cooperative, and institutional manner.
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The Red Sea University Legal Aid Clinic Center (RSU-LACC) was officially launched on April 30, 2024, at Red Sea University in Bosaso. The inauguration was attended by key government officials from the Bari region, including the Chief of the Appeal Court, the mayor of Bosaso, the Regional Prosecutor, judges from the First Instance Court, the CID Commander, and regional coordinators from the Ministries of Justice and Women. Representatives from the UN, CARE International, WFP, IOM, and local NGOs such as Tadamun, PSA, and Kaalo Aid were also present, along with leaders from the IDP and refugee communities.
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On May 26, 2024, a delegation from the Ministry of Justice, Constitution, Religious Affairs, and Rehabilitation of Puntland, led by Dr. Maryam Mohamed Abshir, Director-General of the Ministry, visited Red Sea University (RSU). The delegation included Mahmoud Hidign Mohamed, Regional Coordinator for Bari, and other ministry officials.
They met with the university leadership, headed by President Prof. Abdullahi Sheikh Hassan, to explore opportunities for strengthening collaboration between the university and the ministry. The delegation also expressed interest in learning more about the recently established RSU Legal Aid Clinic Center (RSU-LACC). A focused meeting was held with the Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law and the Director of the Legal Aid Clinic Center, where discussions centered on the legal aid services provided to vulnerable communities.
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On August 3, 2026. A delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Puntland Ministry of Justice, Constitution, Religious Affairs, and Rehabilitation visited the Legal Aid Centre at Red Sea University in Bosaso. The delegation held a meeting with the Legal Aid Centre’s staff.
A judge from the Bosaso First Instance Court also attended the meeting.
The purpose of the visit was to enable the Ministry and UNDP delegations to observe the activities and services provided by the Legal Aid Centre. The delegations commended and encouraged the lawyers, legal assistants, and centre management for their work, urging them to further strengthen and accelerate the provision of legal aid services to vulnerable members of the community.
On October 7, 2026, the Red Sea University participated in the Puntland Justice Sector Implementation and Support Strategy Forum held in Garowe. The forum was organized by the Puntland Ministry of Justice, Constitution, Religious Affairs, and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
During the forum, the Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law, Judge Abdifatah Haji Isse, presented a digital mobile application called Ogaal Sharci (Legal Awareness), one of the initiatives developed by the University’s Legal Aid Centre. The application aims to promote legal awareness and improve public access to legal information and service
On May 11, 2024, the Legal Aid Clinic Center (RSU Legal Aid Clinic Center) launched a series of training sessions for community paralegals.
This training is designed to enhance their skills, legal knowledge, and understanding of court procedures. The sessions were facilitated by Judge Abdikarim Said and Judge Abdifatah Haji Isse.
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On November 26, 2024, the Legal Aid Clinic conducted a training seminar titled “The Process of Investigation and Criminal Prosecution.”The session covered the roles of police officers, the Attorney General, and the courts in criminal proceedings. It also examined key provisions of the Somali Criminal Procedure Code and the practical challenges of criminal investigations and trials.
Panel discussions and questions and answers sessions featured legal experts, including the Bari Regional Prosecutor, judges from the Bosaso First Instance Court, and lawyers from the Puntland Bar Association.
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On December 15, 2024 The Legal Aid Clinic Center held a seminar on “Trial Procedures and the Rights of the Accused.” The seminar was facilitated by Hon. Abdikarim Mohamed Nur, Chief Judge of the First Instance Court of Garowe District, Nugaal Region, alongside Judges from Bosaso’s First Instance Court The session included an open legal discussion.
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On December 23, 2024, the Legal Aid Clinic held a training session on “The Civil Litigation Process: First Instance, Appeals, Supreme Court Complaints, and Execution”.The session was delivered by Avv. Shuib Adam, a judge at the Banadir Regional Court and trainer at the National Judicial Training Institute, during his visit to Red Sea University, as guest facilitator.The training concluded with an open legal debate, giving participants the opportunity to discuss key issues and exchange insights.
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On March 3, 2025, The Legal Aid Clinic Center organized a seminar on “legal empowerment and awareness” for leaders and elders of IDPs and refugee communities in Bosaso. In addition the Center delivered training on human rights and access to justice. The centers’ team also listened to the legal challenges faced by these communities, ensuring their concerns
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On 27 April, 2025, the Legal Aid Center conducted a field visit to the IDP camps in Bosaso, where paralegals delivered legal awareness sessions on the legal rights, obligations and access to justice of vulnerable groups. The team also carried out an assessment to gather information on the legal needs of displaced and vulnerable individuals in the camps.
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On 12 August, 2025, In collaboration with the Legal Aid Clinic Center, the Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs, Constitution, and Rehabilitation of Puntland (DPL) conducted a week-long training in Bosaso for Community Paralegals. Red Sea University also contributed to the program, with facilitators including the Head of the Faculty of Sharia and Law and the Director of the Legal Aid Center.
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On November 1, 2025, The Ministry of Justice, Constitution, Religious Affairs, and Rehabilitation of Puntland (DPL), in collaboration with Red Sea University, launched a Community Legal Awareness Campaign in Bosaso.The campaign, implemented by the Ministry of Justice in partnership with the Red Sea University Legal Aid Clinic, aims to strengthen the public’s legal awareness and enhance community trust in the justice institutions of the government.The launch event included a panel discussion on criminal investigation procedures, the rights of the accused, the rights of detainees, and court processes. The discussion was led by judges, lawyers, and officials from the Ministry of Justice.
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On 20 November 2025, in collaboration with the Red Sea University Legal Aid Clinic Center, the Ministry of Justice, Religious Affairs, Constitution, and Rehabilitation of Puntland (DPL) conducted a community legal awareness campaign targeting both host communities, IDPs, and refugees in Bosaso.The campaign also engaged local community leaders, who helped raise awareness about legal rights and access to justice services.The Legal Awareness Program is being implemented across Bosaso’s villages and neighborhoods, with paralegals visiting houses and community centers to provide legal awareness directly to residents.
on July 13, 2026. The of the Legal Aid Centre at Red Sea University, participated in a two-day training in Bosaso focused on strengthening legal aid services. The training was organized by the Puntland Ministry of Justice, Constitution, Religious Affairs, and Rehabilitation. A total of 15 Paralegals from the University’s Legal Aid Centre benefited from the training. The training was accompanied by an interactive discussion seminar on strengthening legal aid services, providing an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss ways to improve the delivery of legal assistance to the community, particularly vulnerable groups.
On 19 May, 2026. The second day of the Health and Well-being Programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bosaso, residents of IDP camps received legal counselling and awareness sessions organized by the Legal Aid Centre of Red Sea University.The community members received awareness-raising sessions on fundamental rights, access to justice, and the importance of understanding legal issues. This initiative forms part of broader efforts to support vulnerable communities and promote public legal awareness.
The Legal Aid Center continues to play an active role in community service, legal empowerment, and the advancement of knowledge.
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Red Sea University, Bosaso, Puntland – Somalia
Established in 2008 in Bosaso, Puntland, Red Sea University is committed to outstanding educational programs, research that addresses community needs, and developing tomorrow’s leaders.