{"id":2653,"date":"2025-10-10T14:33:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T14:33:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/?p=2653"},"modified":"2025-10-10T14:37:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T14:37:23","slug":"puntland-state-university-wins-national-international-humanitarian-law-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/2025\/10\/10\/puntland-state-university-wins-national-international-humanitarian-law-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Puntland State University Wins National International Humanitarian Law Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Garowe, Puntland \u2013 October 01 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Puntland State University (PSU) is pleased to announce that its Faculty of Sharia and Law has won the <strong>2025 Somali National International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Competition<\/strong>, marking the first time in the university\u2019s history to achieve this distinguished honor. This victory secures PSU\u2019s representation of Somalia at the <strong>All-Africa IHL Competition<\/strong>, which will be held in <strong>Nairobi, Kenya<\/strong>, in November 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Somali National IHL Competition, organized annually by the <strong>International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)<\/strong>, serves as a platform for law students to deepen their understanding of <strong>the Law of Armed Conflict<\/strong> and to apply it to complex humanitarian contexts. The 2025 national round brought together <strong>six universities<\/strong> across Somalia, each required to submit written memorials and engage in simulated case studies and moot court hearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Puntland State University advanced to the final round after demonstrating strong legal reasoning, research depth, and advocacy skills. In the final moot court session held in Mogadishu, PSU\u2014acting as the defense\u2014delivered a compelling and well-structured legal argument that earned the unanimous decision of the three-judge panel over <strong>Mogadishu University<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reflecting on the achievement, <strong>Mr. Mohamed Awad Hussein<\/strong>, one of the participating law students, expressed appreciation and humility:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWe thank the Almighty for this achievement. We are deeply grateful to our dean, lecturers, and the entire university for their continuous support. The extensive preparation and sleepless nights have truly paid off.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>PSU team<\/strong>, composed of three outstanding law students, will now represent Somalia at the continental stage, where they will compete against law faculties from eight African countries. This provides a unique opportunity for PSU students to engage in comparative legal analysis and to showcase Somalia\u2019s growing expertise in international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The individual award for <strong>Best Speaker<\/strong> was conferred upon <strong>Mr. Abdihafid Mohamed Ali<\/strong> from Mogadishu University, recognizing exceptional oral advocacy skills among all participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his closing remarks, <strong>Mr. Alexandre Formisano<\/strong>, Head of Programs and Prevention for ICRC Somalia, commended the participants\u2019 dedication to the study of humanitarian law:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThe passion for the law demonstrated by these students is humbling, even for us as custodians of IHL. We will be supporting and cheering for PSU as they advance to the All-Africa finals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Educational Significance of the Competition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Somali IHL Competition aims to <strong>enhance legal education and practical skills development<\/strong> among law students in Somalia. By engaging in legal drafting, argumentation, and simulated case analysis, participants strengthen their knowledge of the international legal framework governing armed conflicts, civilian protection, and humanitarian principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This initiative also contributes to <strong>building a new generation of Somali legal professionals<\/strong> who are well-versed in international legal norms and capable of contributing to peacebuilding, human rights protection, and justice reform in the Horn of Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Puntland State University (PSU)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Puntland State University, located in <strong>Garowe, Puntland, Somalia<\/strong>, is a leading institution of higher learning dedicated to advancing education, research, and community development. The <strong>Faculty of Sharia and Law<\/strong> plays a central role in preparing competent legal practitioners through rigorous academic programs, practical legal training, and active engagement in national and international legal competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The university\u2019s participation and success in the Somali National IHL Competition reaffirm PSU\u2019s commitment to <strong>academic excellence, ethical legal practice, and social responsibility<\/strong>\u2014core values that underpin its vision of contributing to a just and peaceful Somali society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"xs_social_share_widget xs_share_url after_content \t\tmain_content  wslu-style-1 wslu-share-box-shaped wslu-fill-colored wslu-none wslu-share-horizontal wslu-theme-font-no wslu-main_content\">\n\n\t\t\n        <ul>\n\t\t\t        <\/ul>\n    <\/div> \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Garowe, Puntland \u2013 October 01 2025 Puntland State University (PSU) is pleased to announce that its Faculty of Sharia and Law has won the 2025 Somali National International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Competition, marking the first time in the university\u2019s history to achieve this distinguished honor. This victory secures PSU\u2019s representation of Somalia at the All-Africa IHL Competition, which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2025. The Somali National IHL Competition, organized annually by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), serves as a platform for law students to deepen their understanding of the Law of Armed Conflict and to apply it to complex humanitarian contexts. The 2025 national round brought together six universities across Somalia, each required to submit written memorials and engage in simulated case studies and moot court hearings. Puntland State University advanced to the final round after demonstrating strong legal reasoning, research depth, and advocacy skills. In the final moot court session held in Mogadishu, PSU\u2014acting as the defense\u2014delivered a compelling and well-structured legal argument that earned the unanimous decision of the three-judge panel over Mogadishu University. Reflecting on the achievement, Mr. Mohamed Awad Hussein, one of the participating law students, expressed appreciation and humility: \u201cWe thank the Almighty for this achievement. We are deeply grateful to our dean, lecturers, and the entire university for their continuous support. The extensive preparation and sleepless nights have truly paid off.\u201d The PSU team, composed of three outstanding law students, will now represent Somalia at the continental stage, where they will compete against law faculties from eight African countries. This provides a unique opportunity for PSU students to engage in comparative legal analysis and to showcase Somalia\u2019s growing expertise in international humanitarian law. The individual award for Best Speaker was conferred upon Mr. Abdihafid Mohamed Ali from Mogadishu University, recognizing exceptional oral advocacy skills among all participants. In his closing remarks, Mr. Alexandre Formisano, Head of Programs and Prevention for ICRC Somalia, commended the participants\u2019 dedication to the study of humanitarian law: \u201cThe passion for the law demonstrated by these students is humbling, even for us as custodians of IHL. We will be supporting and cheering for PSU as they advance to the All-Africa finals.\u201d Educational Significance of the Competition The Somali IHL Competition aims to enhance legal education and practical skills development among law students in Somalia. By engaging in legal drafting, argumentation, and simulated case analysis, participants strengthen their knowledge of the international legal framework governing armed conflicts, civilian protection, and humanitarian principles. This initiative also contributes to building a new generation of Somali legal professionals who are well-versed in international legal norms and capable of contributing to peacebuilding, human rights protection, and justice reform in the Horn of Africa. About Puntland State University (PSU) Puntland State University, located in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia, is a leading institution of higher learning dedicated to advancing education, research, and community development. The Faculty of Sharia and Law plays a central role in preparing competent legal practitioners through rigorous academic programs, practical legal training, and active engagement in national and international legal competitions. The university\u2019s participation and success in the Somali National IHL Competition reaffirm PSU\u2019s commitment to academic excellence, ethical legal practice, and social responsibility\u2014core values that underpin its vision of contributing to a just and peaceful Somali society.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2654,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"postBodyCss":"","postBodyMargin":[],"postBodyPadding":[],"postBodyBackground":{"backgroundType":"classic","gradient":""},"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,7],"tags":[117,116,115,48,53,55,56,66],"class_list":["post-2653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","category-news","tag-icrc","tag-ihl","tag-moot-court","tag-psu","tag-psusomalia","tag-puntland","tag-puntland-state-univeristy","tag-somalia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2653"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2655,"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2653\/revisions\/2655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/psu.edu.so\/psu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}