Mogadishu — Dr. Maryam Qasim Ahmed has been elected as the Chairperson of Somalia’s Independent Human Rights Commission (IHRC) following a leadership vote held on Wednesday in the capital, Mogadishu, officials said.
The election initially featured three candidates: Dr. Maryam Qasim Ahmed, Dr. Omar Abdulle Ulusow, and Farhan Mohamed Jimale. Jimale withdrew from the race shortly before the vote, narrowing the contest to two candidates. Dr. Maryam secured a majority of votes after a closely contested process, setting the leadership of the commission for the coming term.
Dr. Maryam brings decades of public service and professional experience to the role. She has previously served in several senior government positions, including Minister of Health, Minister of Education and Social Services, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. In addition to her political career, she has worked with United Nations agencies and is a qualified obstetrician and gynaecologist.
The Independent Human Rights Commission is composed of nine members who were selected through a competitive examination process conducted in May 2025. The full slate of commissioners was subsequently approved by the Council of Ministers in line with Somalia’s legal framework governing independent constitutional bodies.
Officials said the election of the commission’s leadership marks an important step in strengthening human rights oversight, accountability, and institutional independence in Somalia, as the country continues broader efforts to rebuild state institutions and align with international human rights standards.
