Leadership

At the Trial Advocacy Skills Workshop, Mogadishu

Asha-Kin F. Duale is a senior Somali lawyer and human rights advocate with over four decades of legal experience. As SICLE’s first President, she brings extensive practical knowledge to the task of training the next generation of legal professionals, serving as a bridge between Somalia’s pre-war legal traditions and its emerging legal framework.

Mrs. Duale is a seasoned practitioner with strong analytical skills developed through years of legal research, legislative drafting, and policy development in both private practice and government service. Her experience encompasses a comprehensive range of dispute resolution strategies including direct negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings.

The Defender in the Dark Times (1984–1990)

Training lawyers at SICLE workshop

Asha-Kin’s career began during one of the most turbulent periods in Somali history. Between 1984 and 1990, she was a Founder and Senior Partner at Shabelle Law and Consultancy Firm in Mogadishu. During this era, she was one of the few lawyers who took cases at the National Security Court, a tribunal known for political trials and capital punishment cases.

She represented high-profile clients accused of treason, espionage, and military mutiny, including the Vice President of Somalia in the historic “Somalia vs. Vice President et al.” case of February 1988. The Firm combined multidisciplinary consultants and Defence Counsels who represented clients before any court including the Court for National Security. The Firm was involved in political trials quoted by Amnesty International annual country reports from 1986 to 1991.

The Architect of Statehood (2011–Present)

Following the civil war, Asha-Kin returned to play a significant role in rebuilding the Somali state.

Constitutional Drafting

From 2011 to 2012, she served as a Legal Expert for the Transitional Federal Government. She was instrumental in drafting and reviewing the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia, working alongside figures like Professor Jawari. She developed deep expertise in constitutional law and federalism in the Somali context.

Legislative Reform

She has contributed to the drafting of critical economic and security laws, including the Petroleum Law, regulations for private security companies, and the 2020 subsidiary regulations of the Companies Law of 2019 for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

International Advocacy

With Mary Robinson, President of Ireland, London 1995

During her time in London pursuing her LLM at SOAS, Asha-Kin engaged with prominent human rights figures. In 1995, she met with Mary Robinson, President of Ireland, who became the first head of state to visit Somalia during the devastating 1992 famine and later authored “Voices from Somalia” (1994). Robinson would go on to serve as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002.

Education and Credentials

Hawa Wehelie is a results-driven attorney with a dual background in law and business. She has experience working in challenging client-focused and cross-cultural environments. Her extensive experience in legal research, drafting, and policy development in both private and government sectors has allowed her to employ a comprehensive range of dispute resolution strategies including direct negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and court proceedings.

As Vice President of SICLE, she holds a key leadership position in shaping the future of continuing legal education in Somalia, combining American legal training with deep commitment to Somali justice sector development.

Director of City Law Clinic (February 2020–Present)

Since February 2020, she has led the development of a university-based legal aid clinic at the City University of Mogadishu. The clinic provides valuable and practical clinical legal education to law students as well as pro-bono legal services to indigent communities in Mogadishu. The legal aid clinic provides legal advice and counsel on criminal and land matters, as well as conducts know-your-rights training for the community. The clinic has advised and counseled victims of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, and paternity claims, as well as conducted advocacy campaigns to raise awareness on gender-based violence.

International Legal Experience

United States Department of Commerce (August 2018–February 2020)

She served as an Attorney-Advisor in the Office of the Secretary in Washington DC, providing legal advice and support to bureaus relating to policy improvement and enforcement of federal information disclosure statutes including the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.

UN Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) — March to July 2020

She served as Legal Consultant for the Dhulka Naabada project, supporting land reform initiatives and drafting policy briefs assessing land governance in Somalia.

Education and Credentials

Managing legal technology systems

Professor Aweis Osman Ahmed is a legal professional and technology expert who co-founded both SICLE and the Mogadishu Law Office. He serves as Managing Director of MLO and Full-Time Professor at SICLE, bringing a unique combination of traditional legal expertise and technology knowledge that helps bridge Somalia’s legal heritage with modern practice. In 2025, he was appointed as Public Notary by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

With over 20 years of experience in legal practice and information technology, Professor Ahmed leverages his background at the United States Federal Communications Commission to lead MLO and shape legal education at SICLE.

The Early Years and Spirit of Giving

At Mogadishu Law Office

Professor Ahmed graduated from Lafoole University of Education in 1978. His contribution to Somali legal education goes back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. When the founders of SICLE were trying to start practical legal training for students with no funding, Aweis was working with Somali corporate companies and teaching high school while also working with the family business Warsheikh Rental Cars.

He gave his own money to support the early classes of what would become SICLE. He paid for transportation so students could visit courts. He paid for meeting spaces and dinners so students could discuss cases. He funded the pivotal scholarship study trip to Edinburgh Scotland in 1985 for Abdiwahid to study business law in English. Without this financial support, the initiative would not have survived its early years.

United States Federal Communications Commission (16 Years in Washington DC)

Professor Ahmed brings over 16 years of experience working with the United States Federal Communications Commission in Washington DC, in areas of software development and project management. While working at FCC, he earned his Master’s degree in Information Management Systems.

Education and Credentials

Vice President and Professor at SICLE

Hassan Farah Warfa is an educator, paralegal, and independent researcher in law and history. He is a Vice President and Professor at the Somali Institute for Continuing Legal Education (SICLE) and a member of the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His work centers on legal history, public records research, and continuing legal education.

Hassan joined SICLE in 1987 as an instructor for the Young Lawyers Course, where he was responsible for developing and implementing curriculum for training young lawyers. His early contributions helped establish the educational foundation that SICLE continues to build upon today.

Early Work at Somali National University

Hassan served as Head of the Audiovisual Aids Department at Somali National University, where he integrated educational media and technology to improve learning outcomes. He also worked as an Educational Researcher and Consultant for USAID, FAO, and the Ministry of Education from 1983 to 1986, conducting major research studies on student learning environments, refugee education, and food security.

Career in Education

Presenting at an academic conference

With over 30 years of teaching, advising, and mentoring experience across secondary and higher education, Hassan has dedicated his career to student success. He spent over 17 years teaching in Boston Public Schools, working in multicultural, multilingual classrooms. As a lecturer in Education and Student Success, he designed courses and workshops for first-year students on academic skills, cultural awareness, and institutional navigation.

Education and Credentials

Professional Service

Speaking at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy

Hassan serves as a Reviewer for the Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT). He is also a Co-founder and Board Member of EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION and DEVELOPMENT, a non-profit organization in Boston, Massachusetts focused on student orientation and cultural adaptation initiatives.

His commitment to intercultural dialogue has led him to participate in forums at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, where he has contributed to discussions on global education, peacebuilding, and grassroots intercultural exchange.