Attorney General Biography
Judge, constitutional adviser, law professor and the Nation’s chief law officer since December 2019.
Sulayman Mohamed Mohamoud was sworn in as the Attorney General of the Federal Government of Somalia on 1 December 2019. As the Nation’s chief law officer, and under his leadership, the Office of the Attorney General is devoted to upholding the rule and supremacy of the law, protecting the constitutional and statutory rights of the people by administering justice in criminal matters, and protecting the rights of the state, public organs, incapacitated and vulnerable people.
Career & Education
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International Court of Justice
Attorney General Sulayman was a member of the National Committee representing Somalia in the maritime dispute case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. He acted as counsel to the international lawyers representing the Somali case, advising and overseeing their analysis, legal interpretation and representation, and promoting the cause of Somalia to regain its rightful maritime territory.
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Judge, Federal Supreme Court
Before his confirmation as Attorney General, he was a Federal Supreme Court Judge. He presided over a vast number of cases, ensuring they were conducted in accordance with the court’s rules, the rules of evidence and the law in general. As a judge, he protected the fundamental human rights of citizens through equitable decision-making and judgments throughout his time on the Federal bench.
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Senior Advisor, Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission (ICRIC)
Earlier in his career, he was a Senior Advisor to ICRIC. He provided intensive support to the Commission in designing the priority areas of the constitutional review process for submission to the Somali Federal Parliament, with particular focus on familiarising ICRIC with the three options for the constitutional review process developed by the 9th Parliament. He also guided the Commission in implementing the roadmap of the constitutional review process and supported any amendments to the articles of the Constitution as required.
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Dean of the Faculty of Law, Puntland State University
He was an academic, law professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Puntland State University. During his tenure as dean, he led the development of the faculty curriculum and course content, and initiated and promoted best practices in teaching, learning and assessment.
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Education
Attorney General Sulayman holds a Master of Laws (LLM) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Legal practice
Following law school, he became Executive Director of the Puntland Legal Aid Clinic, a founding partner of Gargaar Law Firm, and Chief Compliance Officer at one of the leading financial institutions in Somalia.