Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13

| Peer-Reviewed

Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed

Published in Social Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 4)

Received: 4 June 2023 Accepted: 7 July 2023 Published: 21 July 2023

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Most recent reports present a bleak and gloomy picture of the state of human rights and democracy around the world. This is particularly true in Africa, where the renaissance of democratic revival in the 21^st century is rapidly giving way to narratives of doom and gloom. Though Somaliland approved its constitution in 2001, established a multi-party political system, and held local council, presidential, and parliamentary elections in the first decade, there are some challenges hindering democratization processes, holding creditable elections, protecting human rights, and women’s political representation. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to assess the current status of Somaliland’s elections, human rights, and women’s political participation, it also reviews electoral challenges, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence that have been encountered and considers the prospects for the future. However, this article revealed that there is a poor legal framework, strong clan politics, and limitations on free media expression. Somaliland adopted laws and policies to protect human rights but faced implementation issues. In addition to that, opposition leaders and party members faced imprisonment and intimidation, whereas women’s’ political participation remained low. The paper therefore calls on Somaliland government to review the electoral laws to address gaps and ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the electoral process; take immediate measures to protect freedom of media expression; enforce existing laws and policies aimed at protecting human rights; and introduce gender quotas to increase women’s representation in all levels of government.

Published in	Social Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13
Page(s)	161-170
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Elections, Human Rights, Political Participation, Challenges, Prospects, Somaliland

References

[1]	Mustafe M. Dahir, “Non-Recognition of Somaliland in international Law and Its Legal Implications for Foreign Investment. Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Degree LLM (International Trade and Investment Law in Africa) at International Development Law Unit, Centre for Human Rights,” Pretoria, South Africa, May 2012.
[2]	R. Richards, “Bringing the Outside In: Somaliland, statebuilding and dual hybridity,” 2014.
[3]	Hamse Khayre, “Clan Democracy in Somaliland Prospects and Challenges High-quality Research Support programme (HQRS),” Hargeisa, Sep. 2016.
[4]	M. Wayel Osman., “Discovering Challenges in democratization and elections of Somaliland Mustafe Osman,” Pisa, 2016.
[5]	R. Hollekim, S. J. Hansen, and G. M. Sørensen, “Somaliland: Elections for the Lower House of Parliament September 2005.” [Online]. Available: http://www.humanrights.uio.no/forskning/publ/publikasjonsliste.html
[6]	D. R. Forti, “A Pocket of Stability: Understanding Somaliland Occasional Paper Series: Issue 2, 2011,” 2011. [Online]. Available: www.accord.org.za.
[7]	by Michael Walls, C. Heine, A. Klingel, C. Goggin, and A. Farag, “The limits of consensus? Report on the Somaliland Presidential Election, 13th November 2017.” [Online]. Available: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/development/
[8]	Mohamed F. Hersi, Pillar of Peace Confronting the Future of Somaliland’s Democracy: Lessons from a Decade of Multi-Partyism and the Way Forward. Hargeisa: APD, ECA, 2015. [Online]. Available: www.interpeace.org
[9]	Tobias H. and Didier Péclard, “Negotiating Statehood: Dynamics of Power and Domination in Africa,” Sussex, Jan. 2011.
[10]	M. A. Demeke, “Paper Five: Freedom of Press and Democratization In Somaliland: Promises and Challenges,” 2004. [Online]. Available: http://www.amazon.com/Role-Regional-Organizations-Conflict.
[11]	HRC, “Human Rights Center Second Quarterly Report August 2022,” Hargeisa, Aug. 2022. [Online]. Available: www.hrcsomaliland.org
[12]	Jibril J. Abdi, “Challenges and Opportunities of Women Participation in Politics: A Case Study of Somaliland,” Ankara, Jul. 2021.
[13]	H. Yusuf, “Chapter Seven: The Saga of the Pursuit of Women’s Quota in Somaliland,” Hargiesa, Sep. 2001.
[14]	A. Hassan and M. Khalif, “Affirmative Action and Women’s Participation in Politics of Gabiley Region in Somaliland,” Kampala, Uganda, Nov. 2014.
[15]	M. Walls et al., “Political Settlement in Somaliland: A gendered perspective,” Hargeisa, Mar. 2017.
[16]	I. APA, “Pillars of Peace, Democracy in Somaliland: Challenges and Opportunities,” Hargeisa, Nov. 2010. [Online]. Available: http://www.apd-somaliland.org
[17]	M. A. Mohamoud -Barawani, “Policy Brief: Somaliland Presidential Elections: Political Context, Electoral Standards and Anticipated Challenges.,” Costra Rica, Nov. 2017. [Online]. Available: http://www.somalilandlaw.com/NORDEM_Report_on_the_2003Pres
[18]	CPA, “Politicizing The Election Process,” Hargeisa, Jan. 2020. [Online]. Available: www.cpahorn.net
[19]	E. U. E. and H. of A. Soradi, “Reflections and Lessons of Somaliland’s Two Decades of Sustained Peace, State-building and Democratization. Presentations at the second annual SORADI conference held on 8-9 November 2011. Somaliland Development Series No. 2 Hargeisa, Somaliland July, 2012,” Hargeisa, Nov. 2011.
[20]	N. M. Ali, “Somaliland: The Cost of Silanyo Election,” Asian J. Humanit. Soc. Sci., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 1–29, May 2015, [Online]. Available: www.ajhss.org
[21]	I. CPA, “Somaliland’s Election Process: Achievement’s and Failures of Democratization Process,” pp. 1–54, Oct. 2019.
[22]	CPA, “Somaliland’s Renewed Stalemate: the Consequence of Extensions Hargeisa,” Hargeisa, Jun. 2022.
[23]	UN, “Human Rights Council Situation of human rights in Somalia Report of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia*,” Sep. 2019.
[24]	C. Albin-Lackey and HRW Org., “Hostages to peace” : threats to human rights and democracy in Somaliland. Human Rights Watch, 2009.
[25]	CPA, “Briefing Paper: Somaliland Voter Cards Distribution,” Cent. Policy Anal. Brief. Pap., pp. 1–4, Feb. 2017.
[26]	US D. State, “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2021 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor SOMALIA 2021 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY,” 2021.
[27]	House and Peter Benenson, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL. 2023. [Online]. Available: www.amnesty.org
[28]	HRC, “Annual Review of Human Rights Center 2022 ii,” Hargeisa, 2022. [Online]. Available: www.hrcsomaliland.org
[29]	SNHRC, “Somaliland National Human Rights Commission: Universal Periodic Review 2010,” Hargeisa, Nov. 2010. [Online]. Available: www.slnhrc.org
[30]	Oxfarm, “Harmful Practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM),” Hargeisa, Dec. 2019.
[31]	CPA, “Somaliland: A Democracy Without Women Representation,” Hargeisa, Jul. 2020. [Online]. Available: www.cpahorn.net
[32]	M. Ahmed and A. Llb, “Somaliland: Obstacles to Women Candidates in 2021 Elections,” Hargeisa, Apr. 2021.
[33]	CPA, “Somaliland Democracy Versus Guurti Extention,” pp. 1–11, Oct. 2022.
[34]	M. Abdilahi, G. Guleid, and A. Jama, “Somaliland: A Male Democracy,” Hargeisa, Apr. 2019.
[35]	CPA, “The Somaliland Elections Center for Policy Analysis,” Hargeisa, Nov. 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22329854-400-iris-register-to-eyedentify-voting-fraud-in-
[36]	SNHRC, “Somaliland National Human Rights Commission Universal Periodic Review 2015,” Hargiesa, Jun. 1960.
[37]	SNHRC, “Republic of Somaliland National Human Rights Commission Strategic Plan 2009-2011,” Hargiesa, 2009.
[38]	D. Progress, “Development Progress, Somaliland’s progress on governance: A case of blending the old and the new,” 2011.
[39]	SORADI, “Somaliland Press Freedom: Opportunities and Challenges,” Hargeisa, Aug. 2013.
[40]	J. J. Abdi, “Women Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Opportunities,” Kocaeli, Turkey, May 2021. [Online]. Available: http://www.ijeast.com
[41]	Dr Becky Faith, “Women’s Participation in Somaliland Society far Exceeds their Influence,” Dec. 2019. [Online]. Available: http://haqqi.info/en/haqqi/research/poverty-alleviation-and-women-refugees-middle-east
[42]	CPA, “Press Statement: A Call Against the Rejection of Quota for Women and Minorities by the House of Representatives,” Cent. Policy Anal. Peace, Democr. Hum. Rights, pp. 1-1, Sep. 2022.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed. (2023). Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects. Social Sciences, 12(4), 161-170. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed. Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects. Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(4), 161-170. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed. Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects. Soc Sci. 2023;12(4):161-170. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13,
  author = {Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed},
  title = {Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects},
  journal = {Social Sciences},
  volume = {12},
  number = {4},
  pages = {161-170},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20231204.13},
  abstract = {Most recent reports present a bleak and gloomy picture of the state of human rights and democracy around the world. This is particularly true in Africa, where the renaissance of democratic revival in the 21st century is rapidly giving way to narratives of doom and gloom. Though Somaliland approved its constitution in 2001, established a multi-party political system, and held local council, presidential, and parliamentary elections in the first decade, there are some challenges hindering democratization processes, holding creditable elections, protecting human rights, and women’s political representation. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to assess the current status of Somaliland’s elections, human rights, and women’s political participation, it also reviews electoral challenges, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence that have been encountered and considers the prospects for the future. However, this article revealed that there is a poor legal framework, strong clan politics, and limitations on free media expression. Somaliland adopted laws and policies to protect human rights but faced implementation issues. In addition to that, opposition leaders and party members faced imprisonment and intimidation, whereas women’s’ political participation remained low. The paper therefore calls on Somaliland government to review the electoral laws to address gaps and ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the electoral process; take immediate measures to protect freedom of media expression; enforce existing laws and policies aimed at protecting human rights; and introduce gender quotas to increase women’s representation in all levels of government.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects
AU  - Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed
Y1  - 2023/07/21
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13
T2  - Social Sciences
JF  - Social Sciences
JO  - Social Sciences
SP  - 161
EP  - 170
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-988X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13
AB  - Most recent reports present a bleak and gloomy picture of the state of human rights and democracy around the world. This is particularly true in Africa, where the renaissance of democratic revival in the 21st century is rapidly giving way to narratives of doom and gloom. Though Somaliland approved its constitution in 2001, established a multi-party political system, and held local council, presidential, and parliamentary elections in the first decade, there are some challenges hindering democratization processes, holding creditable elections, protecting human rights, and women’s political representation. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to assess the current status of Somaliland’s elections, human rights, and women’s political participation, it also reviews electoral challenges, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence that have been encountered and considers the prospects for the future. However, this article revealed that there is a poor legal framework, strong clan politics, and limitations on free media expression. Somaliland adopted laws and policies to protect human rights but faced implementation issues. In addition to that, opposition leaders and party members faced imprisonment and intimidation, whereas women’s’ political participation remained low. The paper therefore calls on Somaliland government to review the electoral laws to address gaps and ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the electoral process; take immediate measures to protect freedom of media expression; enforce existing laws and policies aimed at protecting human rights; and introduce gender quotas to increase women’s representation in all levels of government.
VL  - 12
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed

Academic Department, Civil Service Institute, Hargeisa, Somaliland

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed. (2023). Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects. Social Sciences, 12(4), 161-170. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed. Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects. Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(4), 161-170. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed. Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects. Soc Sci. 2023;12(4):161-170. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13,
  author = {Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed},
  title = {Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects},
  journal = {Social Sciences},
  volume = {12},
  number = {4},
  pages = {161-170},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20231204.13},
  abstract = {Most recent reports present a bleak and gloomy picture of the state of human rights and democracy around the world. This is particularly true in Africa, where the renaissance of democratic revival in the 21st century is rapidly giving way to narratives of doom and gloom. Though Somaliland approved its constitution in 2001, established a multi-party political system, and held local council, presidential, and parliamentary elections in the first decade, there are some challenges hindering democratization processes, holding creditable elections, protecting human rights, and women’s political representation. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to assess the current status of Somaliland’s elections, human rights, and women’s political participation, it also reviews electoral challenges, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence that have been encountered and considers the prospects for the future. However, this article revealed that there is a poor legal framework, strong clan politics, and limitations on free media expression. Somaliland adopted laws and policies to protect human rights but faced implementation issues. In addition to that, opposition leaders and party members faced imprisonment and intimidation, whereas women’s’ political participation remained low. The paper therefore calls on Somaliland government to review the electoral laws to address gaps and ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the electoral process; take immediate measures to protect freedom of media expression; enforce existing laws and policies aimed at protecting human rights; and introduce gender quotas to increase women’s representation in all levels of government.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Elections, Human Rights and Women’s Political Participation in Somaliland: Challenges and Prospects
AU  - Abdiaziz Harun Mohamed
Y1  - 2023/07/21
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13
T2  - Social Sciences
JF  - Social Sciences
JO  - Social Sciences
SP  - 161
EP  - 170
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-988X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231204.13
AB  - Most recent reports present a bleak and gloomy picture of the state of human rights and democracy around the world. This is particularly true in Africa, where the renaissance of democratic revival in the 21st century is rapidly giving way to narratives of doom and gloom. Though Somaliland approved its constitution in 2001, established a multi-party political system, and held local council, presidential, and parliamentary elections in the first decade, there are some challenges hindering democratization processes, holding creditable elections, protecting human rights, and women’s political representation. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to assess the current status of Somaliland’s elections, human rights, and women’s political participation, it also reviews electoral challenges, human rights abuses, and gender-based violence that have been encountered and considers the prospects for the future. However, this article revealed that there is a poor legal framework, strong clan politics, and limitations on free media expression. Somaliland adopted laws and policies to protect human rights but faced implementation issues. In addition to that, opposition leaders and party members faced imprisonment and intimidation, whereas women’s’ political participation remained low. The paper therefore calls on Somaliland government to review the electoral laws to address gaps and ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the electoral process; take immediate measures to protect freedom of media expression; enforce existing laws and policies aimed at protecting human rights; and introduce gender quotas to increase women’s representation in all levels of government.
VL  - 12
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download