Hargeisa – The Minister of Justice of the Republic of Somaliland, Yonis Ahmed Yonis, has issued a new directive aimed at enhancing the rigor and security of contract drafting by notaries nationwide.
Dated January 4, 2026, the directive mandates that all officially operating notaries in Somaliland strictly verify the identities of all parties to contracts, particularly those concerning property rentals, vehicles, and other assets.
Key requirements outlined in the directive include:
· Verification using the National Identity Card of the Republic of Somaliland;
· The presence of a responsible guarantor for the contracting parties;
· Photographs of both parties;
· Thumbprint signatures (fingerprints).
This measure is grounded in the National Notaries Law (Law No. 18 of 2001), specifically Article 9, which outlines notary responsibilities. It underscores the critical role notaries play in safeguarding legal agreements, thereby contributing 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 designed to ensure the full identification and verification of contracting parties, thereby promoting transparency and preventing disputes in legal transactions.
