Mogadishu University Emerges Victorious at the First-In-Person Somali IHL Competition
Mogadishu: In a historic moment for the Somali Legal Fraternity, Mogadishu University secures a spot at the All-Africa international humanitarian law Competition in November in Nairobi hosted by the ICRC. Facing off against Somali National University, Mogadishu University got to take home the trophy for the 2024 first-ever in-person Somali IHL Competition.
The first-ever in-person Somali IHL Competition finals held in Mogadishu, pitting students from Mogadishu University and Somali National University.
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
Face-off: Students from Somali National University present their case in front of a panel of judges. They took on the role of the defense.
This year’s competition marked a significant milestone because it coincided with the 75th Geneva Conventions anniversary, the cornerstone of IHL, which all states, including Somalia, are bound to respect.
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
Face-off: Students from Mogadishu University present their case in front of a panel of judges. They took on the role of the prosecution.
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
Judges deliberate on the legal arguments presented moments before they ruled Mogadishu University as the winning team.
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
Fellow law students observe as their counterparts demonstrate their legal skills in international humanitarian law. The aim of the event is to promote interest in IHL and provide Somalis with the unique opportunity to engage with like-minded students from across the African continent.
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
Mogadishu University wins this year’s Somali IHL competition.
The ICRC will be covering the winning team’s travel and accommodation costs to Nairobi for the All-Africa IHL Competition where they will be competing against top law students from across the continent.
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
See you in Nairobi! They will be representing Somalia at the All-Africa IHL Competition in Nairobi, Kenya, this November.
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
“This competition is about more than just winning,” said Katherine Weir (far right), ICRC’s Legal Advisor and one of the event’s judges. “It’s about fostering an interest in IHL. Both teams showed great talent, and we are confident they will continue to excel in their legal careers and be important ambassadors for the respect of IHL.”
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
“We worked tirelessly for two months preparing for this competition. It was challenging at times, but in the end, we won, and I couldn’t be happier,” said Samira Yusuf Adam, crowned best Speaker, student from Mogadishu University.
@ICRC/ Abdikarim Mohamed
The 2024 Somali IHL Competition concludes with judges, and the competing students from Mogadishu University and Somali National University.
