Somalia padlet🇸🇴 by Siena Choi

13schoi1 — 2025-10-22 17:42:48 UTC

Political rights: 2/40

Civil Rights: 6/60

Total: 8/100

13schoi1 — 2025-10-22 17:44:13 UTC

The population of Somalia is 19.01M

Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? (A1) 0/4

13schoi1 — 2025-10-22 17:46:11 UTC

This Political right score is given 0/4 because the president is not elected by the people of Somalia but instead the Federal Parliament in a 2/3 to serve a 4 year term. The citizens do not vote.The president shares power of the executive branch with a prime minister that has to have support from the Parliament.

Do various segments of the population have full political rights and electoral opportunities? (B4) 0/4

13schoi1 — 2025-10-22 17:49:31 UTC

This right was given 0/4 because according to the provisional constitution, all presidential candidates must be Muslim. Currently, the political system is designed to have some representations of Somalia’s many clans but only represents only the 4 largest groups, treating all the other clans of the country insignificantly. This system is affected and controlled by the clan leaders, who don’t really represent the usual interests of their groups. Women’s rights to engage in politics are limited by hostile and incumbent elites and women are poorly represented in practice. The parliament mandates a 30% quota for women's representation, but less than 26% of the House of the people and upper house were elected women.

Does the government operate with openness and transparency? (c3) 0/4

13schoi1 — 2025-10-22 17:50:51 UTC

This right was given 0/4 because government transparency is strictly limited. Government officials like police officers are not allowed to publicly talk about their income and assets. Oversight procedures for public contracts are poorly enforced. There isn’t a law guaranteeing the public to access information about the government.

Are there free and independent media? (D1) 1/4

13schoi1 — 2025-10-22 23:11:22 UTC

This right was given 1/4 because the media is highly controlled by police and government. Many reporters get arrested for seemingly no good reason whatsoever or just talking about bad things that have happened in the country. The government seems to not want any truths revealed in the news even if it affects the citizens of Somalia.

Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? (D4) 1/4

13schoi1 — 2025-10-22 23:12:52 UTC

This right was given 1/4 because while freedom of expression is severely limited by a terrorist group,(Al Shabaab) but there are still very small speckles of it left in the more secure areas of the Somalia. Social media posts concerning political or religious topics are considered a crime and people who commit this “crime” face serious punishment. Most of Somalia is muslim and public religious expression is prohibited. Open debate is VERY limited/restricted in areas being threatened or controlled by the Shabaab.

Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? (G1) 0/4

13schoi1 — 2025-10-22 23:13:51 UTC

This right was given 0/4 because traveling in Somalia is dangerous because of conflicts like attacks on civilians and armed groups like the Shabaab commonly take money from travelers. Almost 4M people in Somalia have been displaced from conflicts and natural disasters, like droughts and flooding.

Overview

13schoi1 — 2025-10-23 18:35:43 UTC

Somalia hasn't really been in a stable state since 1991, where an authoritarian regime had crumbled apart. In 2012, restricted and indirect elections brought federal government power. 5 federal states were formed by the government by the year 2016. Somalia is also partly controlled by the Islamic militant group, Al Shabaab, and no direct elections have been held to date. Abuse of human rights are done regularly by the government even with Somalia's ongoing insecurity.