Somalia has been without effective government for over 17 years.  It has survived, but it has not prospered. Various forms of governance filled the vacuum left by the collapse of the state in 1991, including informal systems driven by the role of clans and by the evolving roles of business, religious and civic groups. Despite the resilience of local communities and businesses, the absence or weakness of the state is at the root of Somalia’s endemic conflict. Government is needed to exert enough authority for security to be maintained. Government must ultimately achieve reconciliation of clan-based, political, business and civil society forces to unite Somalis toward building peace. Government must establish credible and competent institutions to begin providing pro-poor social services toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals and create an enabling environment for reconstruction and development.

The collapse of structures for the administration of justice, including law enforcement and the protection of human rights, continues to hamper progress towards the establishment of formal mechanisms for the rule of law. Given this situation, a range of non-State customary or religion-based (Shari’a) mechanisms are in place to deliver judicial/legal services to rural, nomadic and poor populations.

UNDP Somalia is structured in three thematic units, as follows:

1. Democratic Governance
2. Rule of Law and Security
3. Recovery and Sustainable Livelihoods

In the global UNDP practice, Rule of Law and Security are part of the democratic governance practice area, however UNDP Somalia has a separate thematic unit for Rule of Law and Security.

UNDP’s Rule of Law and Security Programme is based on the Somali Joint Needs Assessment (Governance, Security and Rule of Law Cluster Report); is fully harmonized with the Somali Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP); and supports implementation of the UN Transition Plan for Somalia 2008-2009 .  The UNDP Rule of Law and Security Programme contributes to Outcome 3 of the UNTP, as follows: Outcome 3: Improved security and protection under the law for all Somalia.

Relevant press releases
Major increase in UNDP resources for Somaliland, Thursday 7 February 2008
UNDP and Puntland authorities review projects, Thursday 31 January 2008
Human rights a focus of Somali police training, Friday 28 September 2007