1. Author Abdikadir Dahir Ahmed
THE ROLE OF SOMALILLAND OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN PROSECUTION OF SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE CASES
Author Abdikadir Dahir Ahmed

2. RESEARCH QUESTION:
What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in being able to deliver effective prosecution of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) Cases?
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
The research employed mixed methods: six Qualitative Key Informant Interviews to find out the involvement and the role of the prosecutors in the prosecution of SGBV cases and a Quantitative survey questionnaire which identified the number of SGBV cases prosecuted, the effectiveness of the prosecution, and the compliance of the laws by the office of the Attorney General for the last year (2016).
The quantitative survey collected 10 questionnaires from SGBV case prosecutors. The questionnaire covered a total number of seven sampled SGBV cases with focus on the Continued >

3. effectiveness of the case prosecutions (quality of investigation reports, evidence obtained, case length, procedural hearings and compliance with the relevant laws).
RESEARCH FINDINGS:
31 out of 53 SGBV cases (All in the form of rape) were prosecuted in by the Attorney General’s Office and are hampered by insufficient evidences.
SGBV cases are still withdrawn from the court process to be resolved in the customary tradition. SGBV cases are under- reported. Developing and enforcing the application of polices, guidelines and other special procedures for the prosecution of SGBV cases is a priority for the AGO.