Mogadishu University is representing Somalia for the first time in an international commercial arbitration competition in Hong Kong.
Two law students from Mogadishu University achieved a historic milestone as the first Somali team to participate in the prestigious Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot, held in Hong Kong from March 15-22, 2026.Details of Participation
Somalia participated in the 23rd edition of this global competition through final-year students Samira Yusuf and Sabreen Elmi, under the guidance of their coach, Ibrahim. This marks a significant achievement for the country's academic and legal community, placing Somalia on the map of competitive international legal advocacy for the first time.
The Importance of the Competition
The FACEEAST competition is one of the most prominent international legal events, focusing on commercial arbitration, legal writing, and oral arguments, and attracting hundreds of universities annually. Last year's edition (2025) alone saw the participation of more than 1,500 students and coaches representing 154 teams from around the world.
Significance of the Achievement
The participation of the University of Mogadishu team for the first time reflects the growing efforts in Somalia's higher education sector to engage internationally and equip students with practical legal skills. This experience also gave the two students the opportunity to learn about complex, cross-border legal issues and interact with peers and experts from diverse jurisdictions.
A Vision for the Future
This historic presence is seen as a breakthrough in the trajectory of Somali legal education, and a strong indication of the progress made in this sector, serving as an inspiration for future generations of Somali students to strive for excellence in international forums.
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