Hargeisa- The Ministry of Religious Affairs issued on 6th February 2018 a declaration prohibiting pharaonic FGM and allowing "Sunna female circumcision."

The decision of the Ministry came on the day the world was celebrating zero tolerance of FGM.

The decision of the Ministry read by the Director General said "Pharaonic female circumcision is prohibited, and Sunna female circumcision is mandatory. Those who undergo Pharaonic female circumcision have a right to compensation,” he said.

Human rights activists called the move dangerous and unacceptable. The activists support zero tolerance of FGM and believe categorization of FGM will only make many more girls to suffer.