The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, referred to as the African Disability Protocol (ADP), was adopted on 29th January 2018 and entered into force on 3 May 2024 following its 15th ratification. This significant treaty aims to safeguard and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa. It serves as an important continental treaty tailored for the African context. The ADP addresses fundamental issues of disability discrimination to guarantee equitable access to protection against harmful practices, health, education, and employment, among others. This call seeks to encourage the government of Somalia to ratify the APD by highlighting the significance of the treaty.
The Federal Republic of Somalia adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in 2019. Additionally, in 2018, it established the National Disability Authority (NDA) under the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development to promote disability rights. This recent legal and regulatory advancement in Somalia illustrates its dedication to disability rights. Nonetheless, deficiencies persist. According to the Somali National Bureau Report in 2024, persons with disabilities in Somalia face serious challenges, including limited access to education, employment, and essential services. There are an estimated 2.5 million persons with disabilities, representing over 15% of the population. The Federal Republic of Somalia must seize this opportunity to ratify the ADP as this will demonstrate Somalia's commitment to improving the protection of persons with disabilities and upholding their inclusion, dignity, and human rights. Somalia's ratification would convey a robust indication of the government's commitment to incorporating disability rights into national development goals and enhancing its status as a rights-oriented member of the African Union.
The ratification of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) holds enormous significance for Somalia. In the nation's ongoing recovery from prolonged instability and violence, establishing robust and inclusive institutions is imperative. The ratification of the ADP will demonstrate Somalia’s commitment to upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination as outlined in its provisional constitution and international agreements, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The ADP provides a distinct African viewpoint, tackling difficulties that Somalia confronts, including the nexus of disability and poverty, violent conflict, cultural beliefs, and inadequate public infrastructure. Ratifying the ADP will enable Somalia to strengthen its commitment to the UNCRPD while enhancing domestic implementation and accountability through regional continental mechanisms.
Ratification may also facilitate collaboration with other African Union member states while simultaneously strengthening the government's standing with international donors and development partners that emphasise adherence to human rights. Ultimately, ratification will establish a definitive framework for aligning domestic legislation with regional commitments, which is crucial for sustaining legal reform and promoting human rights.
