Report on Freedom of Expression and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Impediments in Somalia

Executive Summary

This report details the critical state of freedom of expression in Somalia, highlighting how government repression, threats from armed groups, and a culture of impunity directly undermine the nation’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The environment for journalists and citizens who speak on societal issues is perilous, with frequent arrests, harassment, and killings. These actions represent a significant barrier to achieving SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and have cascading negative impacts on goals related to poverty, hunger, gender equality, and sustainable communities.

Violations of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The situation in Somalia demonstrates a severe deficit in the core tenets of SDG 16. The fundamental freedom of expression, a cornerstone of Target 16.10 (ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms), is under constant assault.

• Suppression of Information: A government directive explicitly restricts the media and public from reporting on “insecurity” in Mogadishu, with violators facing prosecution and severe punishment.
• Violence and Impunity: Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries for media workers, with over 80 killed since 1992. A pervasive culture of impunity (contrary to Target 16.3) means that perpetrators, whether state or non-state actors, are rarely held accountable.
• Institutional Failures: The actions of the police and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) indicate a lack of accountable and transparent institutions (Target 16.6). The promotion of a former al-Shabaab commander to a police leadership position further compromises institutional integrity.
• Corruption: Widespread corruption among officials, as highlighted by citizens, undermines effective governance (Target 16.5) and exacerbates poverty and inequality.

Case Studies: The Human Cost of Suppressed Freedoms

1. Suppression of Socio-Economic Discourse (SDG 1 & 2): The case of tuk-tuk driver Sayid Ali, arrested for speaking to journalists about hunger (SDG 2: Zero Hunger) and poverty (SDG 1: No Poverty) driven by corruption, exemplifies the risks citizens face. His statements on residents surviving on minimal food underscore the severe food insecurity, a situation worsened by cuts to international aid.
2. Impunity and Inequality (SDG 10 & 16): Ismail Moalim, a 27-year-old from the Bagadi minority group, was reportedly killed by a police officer for sharing a Facebook post depicting police brutality. This incident highlights the heightened vulnerability of marginalized communities and the complete failure of the justice system, directly impeding progress on SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16.
3. Gender-Specific Threats (SDG 5): Female journalists face particular risks, hindering progress on SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Journalist Bahjo Abdullahi Salad was arrested by NISA for a TikTok video highlighting a public health risk (SDG 3) caused by rubbish left after an event attended by the prime minister. Another journalist, Shukri Aabi Abdi, was physically assaulted by NISA officers while covering protests.
4. Systemic Attacks on Media Institutions (SDG 16.10): The infrastructure for public access to information is being systematically dismantled.
   • Authorities in Somaliland shut down the privately-owned Universal TV.
   • In a single day, 19 journalists from local and international media were arrested in Mogadishu for covering the aftermath of an al-Shabaab attack.
   • Risaala radio station was raided by police, its transmitters shut down, and five journalists arrested.

Systemic Obstacles to Sustainable Development

The ongoing crackdown on free expression creates systemic barriers to development across multiple sectors.

• Erosion of Justice and Rule of Law: The failure to investigate killings, such as that of journalist Mohamed Abukar Dabaashe and media worker Abdifatah Abdi Osman, entrenches impunity and invalidates SDG Target 16.3 (promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice).
• Threats to Sustainable Communities (SDG 11): Reporting on issues essential for safe and sustainable cities, such as insecurity, police abuse, and public health hazards, is actively suppressed, preventing public discourse and accountability needed to address these challenges.
• Multi-Faceted Intimidation: Threats are not limited to physical violence. The use of legal and financial intimidation against journalists and media organizations, including the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), demonstrates a coordinated effort by state-linked and corporate entities to silence critical voices.

Conclusion and Key Findings

The environment in Somalia is characterized by a severe and deteriorating state of freedom of expression, which poses a direct threat to the country’s development agenda.

• Violations against journalists and citizens directly obstruct the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16, but also SDG 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 11.
• A deep-rooted culture of impunity shields government officials, security forces, and armed groups from accountability for grave human rights abuses.
• The systematic suppression of information on critical issues such as security, corruption, and poverty prevents the formation of an informed public and the development of effective, accountable institutions.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article directly addresses poverty, highlighting how corruption and inflation make it difficult for ordinary citizens to afford basic necessities. The tuk-tuk driver, Sayid Ali, was arrested for speaking out about these issues.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article explicitly discusses hunger and food insecurity in Mogadishu. It mentions that US aid cuts have worsened the situation, pushing millions toward famine. Sayid Ali’s statement that “People in Mogadishu are surviving on only a cup of tea every 24 hours” underscores the severity of the hunger crisis.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article includes a specific section, “The plight of female journalists,” detailing the particular risks women in the media face. It provides examples of female journalists being targeted, harassed, and assaulted by security forces for their work, indicating a clear gender dimension to the violations of rights.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article touches upon inequality by highlighting the case of Ismail Moalim, who was killed with impunity. It is noted that he belonged to the Bagadi minority group, which has “little influence among authorities or politicians,” suggesting that justice is less accessible for marginalized communities.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The text is replete with examples of violence, injustice, and the failure of institutions. It details killings, police brutality, arbitrary arrests, corruption, lack of accountability (impunity), and severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and the press.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article mentions the impact of international policy on Somalia’s domestic situation, specifically referencing “US president Donald Trump’s foreign aid freeze” and the “termination of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) programme.” This highlights the role of global partnerships and development assistance in achieving local goals like food security.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
   • The article highlights the struggle of citizens like tuk-tuk drivers with poverty, driven by widespread corruption and inflation that makes it “nearly impossible for ordinary citizens to afford even a single meal each day.”
2. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • This target is directly relevant to the descriptions of hunger in Mogadishu and the statement that aid cuts have “worsened food insecurity, reducing critical relief efforts at a time when drought, conflict and displacement were already pushing millions towards famine.”
3. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
   • The article details violence and harassment against female journalists. The case of Shukri Aabi Abdi, who was “dragged and beaten in Mogadishu by Nisa officers,” is a direct example of violence against women in the public sphere.
4. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The article provides numerous examples of violence and killings, including the murder of over 80 media workers since 1992, the killing of Ismail Moalim for sharing a Facebook post, and the deaths of journalists Mohamed Abukar Dabaashe and Abdifatah Abdi Osman.
5. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The article emphasizes the high level of impunity, stating that “cases of murder are rarely investigated and perpetrators rarely arrested.” The lack of justice for victims like Ismail Moalim, who belonged to a minority group, directly relates to the failure to ensure equal access to justice.
6. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The article points to a lack of accountable institutions through descriptions of “widespread corruption among government officials,” “police extortion and the bribes they demanded,” and police brutality. The fact that a police commander is a former al-Shabaab terrorist commander further questions the integrity of these institutions.
7. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
   • This is a central theme. The government’s directive restricting information on “insecurity,” the constant arrests of journalists for their reporting, the forced deletion of content, and the shutdown of media outlets like Universal TV are all direct violations of this target.
8. Target 17.2: Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments.
   • The mention of the “termination of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) programme” and its negative impact on food security relates to the importance of sustained international development assistance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 16.1 (Reduce violence and death rates):
   • Indicator: Number of journalists killed. The article states, “More than 80 media workers have been killed since 1992.” It also provides specific recent examples of killings.
   • Indicator: Number of citizens killed by security forces. The article gives the example of Ismail Moalim, who was “shot Ismail twice in the head” by a police officer.
2. For Target 16.3 (Promote rule of law and access to justice):
   • Indicator: Rate of investigation and prosecution for crimes. The article implies this indicator is extremely low, stating, “Impunity is high in Somalia – cases of murder are rarely investigated and perpetrators rarely arrested.”
3. For Target 16.6 (Accountable institutions):
   • Indicator: Public perception of corruption. This is implied through Sayid Ali’s complaints about “widespread corruption among government officials” and “police extortion.”
   • Indicator: Number of reported incidents of police brutality. The article describes multiple instances, such as the beating of a young detainee shown in a video and the assault on journalist Shukri Aabi Abdi.
4. For Target 16.10 (Protect fundamental freedoms):
   • Indicator: Number of journalists arrested or detained. The article provides specific figures: “19 journalists… in a single day” and “15 journalists… in 48 hours.”
   • Indicator: Number of media outlets shut down. The article mentions the shutdown of “the privately-owned Universal TV.”
   • Indicator: Number of incidents of forced content deletion. The cases of Bahjo Abdullahi Salad and the 19 arrested journalists whose footage was deleted serve as examples.
5. For Target 2.1 (End hunger):
   • Indicator: Prevalence of food insecurity. This is described qualitatively with the statement, “People in Mogadishu are surviving on only a cup of tea every 24 hours because they have nothing to eat.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: indexoncensorship.org