HARGEISA – In a landmark response to a road safety crisis declared a “national disaster,” Somaliland has unanimously adopted a sweeping 17-point action plan. The resolution was passed at the conclusion of the National Conference on Finding Solutions to Road Traffic Accidents, held at the Serene Sarovor Hotel in Hargeisa.
The two-day summit convened a broad coalition of stakeholders, including government ministries, transport cooperatives, freight and passenger companies, public transport operators, vehicle repair shops, universities, academics, and representatives from local and international organizations and friendly nations.
After in-depth analysis of the nation’s road safety challenges, conference participants issued the following key recommendations:
· Governance & Enforcement: The immediate establishment of a National Road Safety Committee with broad stakeholder representation. A substantial increase in the number, training, and equipment of Traffic Police to ensure effective law enforcement.
· Legal Framework: An urgent call for the House of Representatives to fast-track amendments to Traffic Law No. 56/2013 to mandate seat-belt use, ban handheld mobile phones while driving, and require every vehicle to carry a first-aid kit. This includes strict enforcement of all existing traffic laws and a nationwide rollout of compulsory vehicle insurance.
· Infrastructure & Technology: The completion of essential road safety infrastructure—including signage, pedestrian crossings, and road markings—by local authorities and the Road Development Authority. An accelerated rollout of speed governors, mandatory vehicle inspections (MOT centers), and modern technology like cameras on highways and at checkpoints.
· Public Awareness & Health: The launch of major nationwide awareness campaigns on accident risks and prevention. A directive for all public and private hospitals to establish easily accessible emergency services, including 24-hour hotlines, ambulance services, and trauma centers.
· Vehicle Regulation & Modernization: An urgent decision to align vehicle types with the actual capacity and condition of Somaliland’s roads. The creation of specific policies for student transport vehicles, including compulsory roadworthiness checks. To encourage fleet modernization, the plan proposes incentives for importing new, zero-mileage vehicles through reduced customs duties, alongside increased taxes on older used vehicles.
· Coordination & Funding: Strengthened coordination between all relevant ministries and agencies, and the creation of a dedicated Road Safety Fund to finance essential programs. The overall National Road Safety Policy will be fully aligned with Somaliland National Vision 2030, the National Development Plan III, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In a move to ensure long-term accountability, the conference also decided to institutionalize itself as a permanent biennial event.
Closing the proceedings, organizers hailed the 17-point plan as a historic turning point in Somaliland’s fight against road traffic carnage. The Ministry of Transport is expected to present the plan to the Cabinet shortly and convene the first implementation task force in early 2026.
