SIDRA

On February 6, 2023, violence erupted in Lasanod town as clashes occurred between Somaliland forces and local forces following weeks of protests sparked after the assassination of Abdifatah Abdullahi Abdi, also known as Hadrawi, in late December 2022. Hadrawi, a local businessman, was among more than 120 prominent community members who have been targeted and assassinated by gunmen over the past thirteen years. The root of the tension in Lasanod can be traced back to 2007 when Somaliland forces gained control of the town, resulting in the withdrawal of the Puntland administration’s forces. The change in administration and subsequent withdrawal of forces played a significant role in shaping the dynamics of the ongoing tensions and conflicts in Lasanod (International Crisis Group, 2023). The protests took a dramatic turn when Somaliland responded with excessive force, resorting to live ammunition, resulting in the loss of approximately 15 lives, including children. The conflict also led to the arrest of over 100 people, thousands injured, and displacement of over 185,000 residents. Amnesty International found that Somaliland forces indiscriminately shelled the town, damaging hospitals, schools, and mosques. Many displaced people have lost their homes, means of subsistence, and even loved ones, living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Six months into the conflict and the continuous bombardment of the town by Somaliland forces, the humanitarian assistance provided to the people escaping the conflict has been inadequate. The lack of support from Somali federal leadership and political complexities associated with the conflict have hindered the effectiveness of humanitarian efforts, including delivering food and shelter security and providing social services. SIDRA conducted a study to examine the humanitarian challenges faced by the broader population of Lasanod, with a specific focus on those who have been displaced due to the conflict. The study aims to elucidate significant areas of concern and present practical strategies to effectively coordinate substantive humanitarian aid for the civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.

The first case of the Novel Coronavirus (SARS Cov-2) in Somalia was confirmed on the 16th of March 2020[1] 5 days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease “a global pandemic”. As of 16 June 2021, Somalia reported 14,841 confirmed cases and 775 deaths[2]. The first wave of the infection lasted almost four months between mid-March 2020 and July 2020, with a weekly average of 173 confirmed cases and 5 deaths. The infection rate has risen sharply in the second wave between February 2021 and May 2021, with a weekly average of 553 confirmed cases and 36 deaths, an ominous signifier of more rapid spread of the infection and the loss of more lives than the previous wave in 2020. On the 15th March 2021, Somalia become one of the first 12 African countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine supply through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility[1].  COVAX initiative is supported by WHO, GAVI, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to improve equitable access and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world. It procures a supply of COVID-19 vaccines for low- and middle-income countries under the pooled procurement mechanism equivalent to inoculate twenty percent (20%) of their population. UNICEF, WHO, GAVI and other partners worked together to develop guidance, tools and training resources to support countries in assessing their readiness and planning to introduce and roll out COVID-19 vaccination. This study on the status of COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Somalia, assesses the existing opportunities and challenges to the COVID-19 mass vaccination and proposes policy options and recommendations to address the identified rollout gaps for COVID-19 immunization.

Sexual violence is widespread in Somalia. Two decades of conflict and the collapse of the basic functions of government have brought about a system where women and girls, many displaced and living in IDP camps, are inherently vulnerable to rape and other forms of sexual violence. The systematic use of sexual violence and rape has been a common feature of conflict perpetrated by all actors involved. Abortion is permitted in Somalia only to save the life of the mother basing on the 2012 Provisional Constitution of Somalia, the Somalia Penal Code (Legislative Decree No. 5 of 16 December 1962) and the Somalia Essential Drug List, 2003. In practice, this can be interpreted loosely or strictly, according to level of privilege enjoyed within Somali society. Clan affiliation, family wealth, and links with religious institutions as well as structural factors like rural/urban, pastoral/home-based and level of poverty can dictate the extent to which this rule is enforced. The more vulnerable you are, the higher possibility that you will not be able to access safe abortion services. Sexual violence survivors are extremely vulnerable, and require immediate support in the aftermath of assault. In a country where emergency contraception is non-existent, abortion services are absolutely critical.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) referred to preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) for the first time in Resolution 2178 in September 2014. On February 2015, the US convened a three-day White House summit on CVE that discussed countering ISIS and violent extremism. In 2016, the UN Secretary General presented his action plan on preventing violent extremism to the General Assembly. These international efforts have also been complemented at the regional level with member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) seeking to be involved in CVE interventions. IGAD validated its Regional Strategy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in 2017, which aims to provide a roadmap to guide the region in addressing violent extremism in a more collaborative and cooperative manner. Kenya has launched a National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism and Somalia has developed a National Strategy and Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. Other countries in the region are also working in their country-specific strategies. The Somali Institute for Development and Research Analysis (SIDRA) was commissioned to conduct this mapping study on P/CVE in Somalia. The study sought to produce evidence-based research that can be applied at the policy, programming and discourse levels to prevent and counter violent extremism in Somalia. The mapping study was carried out in five towns considered to have been adversely affected by AlShabaab radicalization and violent extremism: Kismayo, Baidoa, Mogadishu, Galkayo and Bossaso.