Somalia’s Federal Government has sparked national and international outrage after rejecting clauses in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child that prohibit marriage under 18 years. The Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development said the clauses contradict Islamic law and the Somali constitution, which it emphasized take precedence over international agreements.
The decision means Somalis can marry below 18 and reach adulthood according to Islamic principles, not fixed age limits. It also reverses a recent attempt to align Somalia’s laws with regional child protection standards , a move that was reportedly overturned within 24 hours after public protests.
According to the ministry, provisions that guarantee children freedom of religion, privacy, and protection from early marriage were seen as interfering with parental responsibility and Islamic values.
The announcement, made around the International Day of the Girl Child, has triggered fury online, with many accusing Somali authorities of legitimizing child abuse under the guise of religion.
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