- Basic Info
- Contact
- Work & Expertise
- Current Commitment
- Past Commitment
- Resource
Basic Information
Organization Name:
Somaliland Lawyers Association (SOLLA)Organization Regions:
- Africa
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Organization Country Location:
Somalia -
Organization City/Locality:
Hargeisa
Organization mission and work description:
The Somaliland Lawyers Association (SOLLA), established in 2004, elevates the legal profession by providing training for lawyers and supporting judicial independence. SOLLA's work includes offering free legal aid to vulnerable citizens and running public education programs. By forging strong partnerships, SOLLA empowers citizens to claim their rights, fostering a more accountable, inclusive, and independent legal system in Somaliland. We envision institutions that are inclusive, independent, and responsive, contributing to the achievement of SDG16+ and a more just, sustainable society.
Organization's Contacts
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Primary Contact Name:
Mukhtaar Osman -
Primary Contact Title:
Executive Director
Additional Contacts Names:
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OUR INTERNATIONAL COALITION IS MADE UP OF MORE THAN 400 CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
Learn about TAP Members & Partners
WHO ARE TAP'S MEMBERS?Organization's Work & Expertise
Organization's SGD16 Expertise:
- 16.3 - Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- 16.6 - Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
- 16.10 - Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
Organization's Areas of Expertise:
Current Commitment to SDG16+
Summary of commitment:
SOLLA's Commitment to Implementing SDG16+ The Somaliland Lawyers Association (SOLLA) is fundamentally dedicated to the realization of SDG16+ as the cornerstone of our mission to build a just, peaceful, and inclusive society. Our commitment is not peripheral but central to our identity and operations. We employ a multi-pronged, ground-up strategy to translate the high-level ambitions of SDG16 into tangible outcomes for the people of Somaliland. Our Theory of Change: We believe that by empowering citizens with legal knowledge and aid, while simultaneously strengthening institutions and advocating for progressive policies, we can foster a virtuous cycle. This cycle builds public trust, enhances institutional accountability, and embeds the principles of justice and the rule of law into the fabric of governance, thereby achieving sustainable peace and development. Our primary objectives and work plan are focused on key SDG16 targets: 1. Target 16.3: Promote the Rule of Law and Ensure Equal Access to Justice o Objective: To provide effective legal recourse for all, particularly the most marginalized (women, IDPs, the poor). o Work Plan: We run a robust Legal Aid and Paralegal Program, offering free representation, mediation, and legal counsel. We are strategically expanding these services into rural and IDP communities to bridge the justice gap. This directly operationalizes "equal access to justice for all." 2. Target 16.6: Develop Effective, Accountable and Transparent Institutions o Objective: To strengthen the integrity, independence, and public trust in the justice sector. o Work Plan: We engage in strategic litigation and judicial advocacy, pushing for reforms that enhance transparency and combat corruption within the legal system. We also provide technical advice to legislative bodies to ensure new laws are just and compliant with constitutional and international human rights standards. 3. Target 16.10: Ensure Public Access to Information and Protect Fundamental Freedoms o Objective: To safeguard civic space and empower citizens through information. o Work Plan: Our Human Rights Monitoring and Documentation system actively tracks and reports on abuses, giving a voice to victims. Furthermore, we conduct public legal awareness campaigns and civic education to ensure individuals know their rights and can hold power-holders accountable. 4. Target 16.b: Promote and Enforce Non-Discriminatory Laws and Policies o Objective: To combat discrimination and advance equality for all. o Work Plan: Our legal aid services proactively prioritize protecting the rights of women and minorities. Our advocacy and legislative review work consistently focuses on amending or abolishing discriminatory laws and promoting inclusive policies. Timeline and Approach: Our work is continuous and adaptive. We operate on both short-term horizons (direct legal service delivery and urgent human rights interventions) and long-term strategies (institutional reform and legislative change). As a key partner in the UN Joint Rule of Law Programme for Somaliland (JROLP II), our efforts are aligned with a structured, multi-year framework, ensuring sustainability and maximum impact. In essence, SOLLA serves as a critical bridge between the global principles of SDG16+ and their localized implementation in Somaliland. We are committed to being both a service provider for today's justice needs and a strategic architect for a more accountable and peaceful tomorrow.
Organization's priorities and work in relation to commitment:
Alignment with TAP Network's SDG16+ Priorities The work of the Somaliland Lawyers Association (SOLLA) directly operationalizes and provides on-the-ground evidence for the core global advocacy priorities of the TAP Network, particularly those related to SDG16+ and accountability for the 2030 Agenda. SOLLA’s commitment to the rule of law and access to justice closely aligns with several key priorities outlined in the TAP Network's advocacy: 1. People-Centered Justice and Target 16.3: SOLLA's primary objective is to significantly extend rights-based legal aid and paralegal services to underserved populations. This directly addresses SDG Target 16.3 ("ensuring equal access to justice for all") and is central to the TAP Network's advocacy. o TAP Network's Call: The TAP Network specifically calls for new language on and financing for "people-centered justice" as a reaffirmation of Target 16.3. o SOLLA's Practice: SOLLA is actively delivering this model by prioritizing legal representation for women, girls, IDPs, and minorities, recognizing the critical role justice plays for marginalized communities, which TAP identifies as essential for fostering trust between citizens and government. 2. Strengthening Accountability and Institutions (SDG 16.6): Both organizations prioritize the development of transparent, effective, and accountable institutions and governance systems. o SOLLA's Practice: SOLLA’s activities include supporting systemic reform to strengthen the integrity and transparency of the legal system and advocating for human rights and constitutional guarantees. o TAP Network's Call: The TAP Network emphasizes integrating and increasing SDG16+ language related to transparency, accountability, and institutions, noting the need for "effective, transparent, and accountable institutions at all levels" (SDG 16.6). 3. Supporting Civil Society and Inclusive Decision-Making: SOLLA functions as a key local Civil Society Organization (CSO) partner in the UN Joint Rule of Law Programme for Somaliland (JROLP II), embodying the inclusive participation that the TAP Network champions. o TAP Network's Call: The TAP Network's third priority is "Supporting Media & Civil Society in Transparency & Accountability". It explicitly calls for investing in civil society organizations and their institutional infrastructure to support their engagement in decision-making. SOLLA's operational role perfectly illustrates the benefit of this investment. SOLLA's Contribution to TAP Network's Global Work SOLLA's national-level work provides concrete, localized context and evidence that can significantly strengthen the TAP Network's international advocacy: 1. Providing Evidence-Based Advocacy for People-Centered Justice Financing: SOLLA can supply the TAP Network with concrete data and compelling case studies on the social and economic impact of its legal aid services and geographic expansion into rural and IDP areas. This on-the-ground evidence is crucial for supporting the TAP Network's call for increased financing for people-centered justice, as it demonstrates that such investments yield "significant returns in improving people's lives." 2. Informing Aid Effectiveness and Risk Tolerance: As an implementing CSO partner in a fragile context (JROLP II), SOLLA can share practical insights on how Official Development Assistance (ODA) is delivered and how to meet the development cooperation principle of transparency and accountability. This real-world experience can directly inform TAP’s work to ensure that ODA flows more effectively to local organizations and help decrease donor risk aversion in funding essential front-line services in challenging environments. 3. Demonstrating the Localization of SDG 16.7 (Inclusive Decision-Making): By successfully operating its program and engaging with both formal and traditional justice mechanisms, SOLLA provides a tangible model of how a local civil society organization can effectively contribute to "responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making" (SDG 16.7). SOLLA's work serves as a practical example of the enabling environment that TAP argues CSOs need to actively participate in governance, including monitoring budget allocation and expenditure processes.