Somalia Enabling Environment Snapshot

Period covered by the report: August 2025-May 2026

Somalia continues to experience prolonged insecurity and political instability since the collapse of its central government in 1991. Although gradual state-building efforts have been ongoing since 2012, the overall enabling environment for civil society organisations (CSOs) and independent media remains severely constrained. 

Civil society actors and journalists continue to operate in a fragile environment marked by insecurity and weak institutional protection. Somalia remains one of the most dangerous countries for media professionals, with continued reports of threats, arbitrary detention, and violence contributing to a climate of impunity. Human rights organisations continue to document violations by both state and non-state actors, further limiting accountability and civic participation. 

Somalia’s civic space is currently classified as “Repressed” by the CIVICUS Monitor. The country received a score of 8 out of 100 in the Freedom House Freedom in the World 2026 report, and ranked 136th out of 180 in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index without any change.  CSOs are forced to scale back activities, relocate to safer areas, or operate clandestinely. They struggle to promote human rights, accountability, and inclusive development. 

Recent early warning signals indicate emerging pressures on civic space, including risks linked to digital governance and online expression, localised insecurity and armed violence in areas such as Baydhabo, and ongoing political and institutional tensions between federal and regional authorities. Emerging electoral dynamics, including signals of divergence in Puntland, further reflect fragmentation risks within Somalia’s political environment.

Overall, civil society organisations continue to operate under severe constraints while playing a key role in promoting human rights, accountability, and service delivery in an increasingly complex and fragile environment.