Thursday September 11, 2025
Garowe (HOL) — The Puntland Ministry of Justice has
suspended all temporary notaries operating in the regional capital, Garowe,
citing non-compliance with a newly enacted Notary Law.
In an official letter dated 10 September 2025 and signed by
Director General Maryan Mohamed Abshir, the ministry ordered the immediate
suspension of services provided by temporary notaries who have not yet
fulfilled the requirements set out under the new legislation.
The ministry said the move is part of its broader efforts to
modernize the notary system in Puntland, including the introduction of an
online platform for requesting services. Police and courts were instructed not
to recognize or accept any legal services issued by the suspended notaries.
However, some of the affected notaries criticized the
decision, telling HOL the ministry was acting “illegally” and using the law to
sideline independent notaries from the market.