“We are ready to take it to court,” the attorney general was quoted as saying on Twitter by the organisers. “This is really a defining moment for Somalia,” Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Gulaid told the conference organisers in a video posted on Twitter on Thursday. Somalia’s constitution prohibits FGM, but efforts to pass legislation to punish offenders have been stalled by parliamentarians afraid of losing votes. Many people believe the ritual is an important part of their tradition and a religious obligation, although it is not mentioned in the Koran. Organisers said the attorney general had also urged Somalia’s religious leaders to use radio and TV to speak out against FGM.

Source: The Guardian July 26, 2018 09:56 UTC