Commissioner Fadumo Yusuf was elected as the secretary to the commission following the election of the commission’s top leadership in early February 2026. Fadumo- a young leader- brings to the National Independent Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) a unique and powerful combination of over a decade of frontline service, high-level policy expertise, and a deep, personal commitment to justice. Her career is a testament to the belief that human rights protection is not an abstract ideal, but a daily practice that must be accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable.
Her journey into public service began on the frontlines in London. As a Youth Justice Officer with the London Borough of Ealing (2013-2017), she managed intervention programs for at-risk youth, tackling serious crime, exploitation, and radicalization. This hands-on experience instilled in her the core principles of case-management rigor, confidentiality, and a firm belief that prevention, not punishment, is the cornerstone of a humane and effective justice system.
Upon returning to Somalia, Fadumo seamlessly transitioned her international experience into national responsibility. As Projects Manager at the Anti-Tribalism Movement (2010-2013), she designed community programs that connected the Somali diaspora with their homeland, ensuring community voices informed policy and fostering youth-led civic participation.
Her subsequent roles within Somalia’s government have been marked by tangible impact and a focus on systemic reform. As Program Coordinator for the Gender Unit at the Ministry of Education (2018), Fadumo was instrumental in developing gender-sensitive policies and curricula, and coordinating the Women’s Access to Justice Initiative, which united justice actors and civil society to dismantle systemic barriers faced by Somali women. She then went on to serve as Criminal Justice Advisor (2020-2025) , her most influential role to date, where she helped shape the Criminal Prosecution Programme (CPP) by providing technical support to Attorney General’s Offices across Federal Member States, strengthening criminal investigations, improving police-prosecutor cooperation, and leading national efforts to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through data collection and task force coordination.
Most recently Commissioner Fadumo served as a Civilian Protection Legal Advisor in the Office of the President’s Special Envoy, where she played a central role in shaping Somalia’s first Civilian Protection Policy, drafting legal tools, reviewing national legislation, and aligning domestic laws with international humanitarian and human rights standards.
Fadumo’s academic and professional training—which includes certifications in conflict resolution, violence prevention, M&E, and project management—further complements her practical expertise.
As a Commissioner, Fadumo Yusuf embodies a new chapter of evidence-based, survivor-centered leadership for the NIHRC. She understands how rights violations occur not only in conflict settings, but in the daily interactions citizens have with law enforcement and social services.
Her vision is clear: a Somalia where institutions defend rights proactively, where data informs policy, where women and youth are both protected and empowered, and where human rights are woven into the very fabric of governance. She ensures that in the pursuit of justice, no voice is too small and no survivor is overlooked.