The Minister of Justice of the Republic of Somaliland, Yonis Ahmed Yonis, has issued a new ministerial directive aimed at enhancing the rigor and security of contract drafting by notaries across the country.
The directive, dated January 4, 2026, mandates all officially operating notaries in Somaliland to strictly verify the identities of parties involved in contracts, particularly those related to property rentals, vehicles, and other assets.
Key requirements outlined in the directive include:
- Verification using the National Identity Card of the Republic of Somaliland;
- Presence of a responsible guarantor for the contracting parties;
- Photographs of both parties;
- Thumbprint signatures (fingerprints).
The measure is based on the National Notaries Law (Law No. 18 of 2001), specifically Article 9, which outlines notary responsibilities. It emphasizes the critical role notaries play in safeguarding legal agreements that contribute to national development, security, and social order.
The Director of the Notaries Department has been tasked with overseeing the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of the directive to ensure full compliance.
Minister Yonis, stated that the new rules are intended to fully acknowledge and verify contracting parties, thereby promoting transparency and preventing disputes in legal transactions.
