Year: 2021

Puntland Parliament’s move toward implementing access to information initiative first time in Somalia

October 1, 2021 bareedo Leave a comment All, Bareedo Core, Open Government, Open Parliament Project

In the occasion of commemoration of International Day for Universal Access to Information, Bareedo Platform commends the Puntland Parliament’s positive move toward adopting and practicing openness of information to the public, the first move ever in Somalia. Puntland parliament is one the three legal structures of Puntland government founded in August 8, 1998 as an autonomous state government after collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991. Puntland parliament practiced a culture of limited openness to the public and less engagement of citizens in the parliamentary work to improve access to information, accountability and transparency. 

Puntland citizens were hard to find or know what their representatives do, the media coverage of the opening session in the first day of parliament’s scheduled sessions has been the only information that public could heard. In an online poll conducted by Bareedo Platform in 2019 indicates that 89% of the citizens unaware of and not familiar with the parliament’s work, sessions and proceedings. And 81.5% of respondents said they are curious to know information and work of the parliament to ensure that they are fulfilling the mandated work and not pursuing their own interests.

Bareedo Platform advocated openness of the parliamentary information and engagement of citizens in the parliamentary work to improve parliamentary accountability and transparency in Puntland as well as citizens’ right to know to ensure that their representatives are working for their benefit and not pursuing their own interests.

In November 14, 2021, H.E. Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril, a member of the parliament and former Presidency’s Information and Communications Director is elected as the new Speaker of the Parliament. Mr. Jibril who had understanding of this matter quickly moved to establish a communication office for the parliament first time and appointed Abdiweli Hassan Abdi “Gooni” , a well-known journalist and long-time media practitioner as the director of the new office.

Mr. Abdi quickly proceeded to lying foundations of the Parliament’s Communication Office and created a website where all parliament work, information and legal documents are openly available to public as well as created social media pages such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram where parliament information and updates are constantly published. From 2020, the parliament’s work, information, meetings and reports become available to the public first time ever in Puntland and generally Somalia. And public began to follow, discuss and comment on parliament’s discussions, proceedings and reports first time ever though they are hardly engaged.

“I have started the office from scratch and with no single support available for such activities. I have put priority on establishment of the parliament’s public information channels such as social media pages, a website as well as recruitment and training of a competent team to work with me in delivering of the office’s mandate” the Parliament’s Director of Communications Mr. Abdiweli Abdi said. 

“Before this office, people couldn’t know what their representatives are doing or what is going in the parliament, but now I’m proud of that Puntland people and generally Somali people are fully aware of and follow the parliament’s daily work more than ever.” Mr. Abdi added

“I’m now fully aware of the parliament’s sessions, live discussions and schedules, something limited before now. I feel happy for seeing parliament’s work on daily basis while their sessions are ongoing…” a member of Puntland Diaspora Mr. Ahmed Jama said.

“Since 1998, the parliament has been endorsing countless legal documents and policies and has been hard to find single copy of these documents, but now I can download these documents from the parliament’s website easily..” A lawyer and social rights activist Mr. Sharmake Nur said.   

This is an impressive and positive move forward in the face of the looming access to information situation in Somalia, but there is still more need to be done and looking forward to adoption of access to information laws to fully absorb the people’s right to know and access the information without barrier. Bareedo Platform also calls for other states and the federal parliament in Somalia to follow suit.

What is E-Government?

September 26, 2021 bareedo Leave a comment E-Government, Open Government

Electronic Governance or E-Governance is the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for providing government services, interchange of statics, communication proceedings, integration of various independent systems and services. Through the means of e-governance, government services are made available to citizens in a suitable, systematic and transparent mode. The three main selected groups that can be discriminated in governance concepts are government, common people and business groups.

E-governance is the best utilization of information and communication technologies to mutate and upgrade the coherence, productivity, efficacy, transparency and liability of informational and transnational interchanges within government, between government agencies at different levels, citizen & businesses. It also gives authorization to citizens through access and use of information. Generally, E-governance uses information and communication technologies at various levels of the government and the public sector to enhance governance. Theoretical studies
state that E-Governance is the procedure of change of the correlation of government with its ingredients, the citizens, the businesses and between its own organs, through the use of tools of information and communication technology.

The UNESCO states, E-governance is the public sector’s use of information and communication automation in order to upgrade information and service delivery, stimulating resident involvement in the decision-making process and making government more liable, unambiguous and productive.

Elements of E-Governance:
Basic elements of e-governance are:

  1. Government
  2. Citizens
  3. Investors/Businesses

Types of E-Governance:
E-governance is of 4 types:

  1. Government-to-Citizen (G2C):
    The Government-to-citizen mentions the government services that are acquired by the familiar people. Most of the government services come under G2C. Similarly, the primary aim of Government-to-citizen is to supply facilities to the citizens. It also helps the ordinary people to minimize the time and cost to carry out a transaction. A citizen can retrieve the facilities anytime from anywhere.

Similarly, spending the administrative fee online is also possible due to G2C. The facility of Government-to-Citizen allows the ordinary citizen to outclass time limitation. It also focuses on geographic land barriers.

  1. Government-to-business (G2B):
    The Government-to-business is the interchange of services between Government and Business firms. It is productive for both government and business firms. G2B provides access to pertinent forms needed to observe. It also contains many services interchanged between business sectors and government.

Similarly, the Government-to-business provides timely business information. A business organization can have easy and easy online access to government agencies. G2B plays a important role in business development. It upgrades the efficiency and quality of communication and transparency of government projects.

  1. Government-to-Government (G2G):
    The Government-to-Government mentions the interaction between different government departments, firms and agencies. This increases the efficiency of government processes. In G2G, government agencies can share the same database using online communication. The government departments can work together. This service can increase international discretion and relations.

G2G services can be at the local level or at the international level. It can convey with both global government and local government. It also provides safe and secure inter-relationship between domestic or foreign government. G2G builds a universal database for all members to upgrade service.

  1. Government-to-Employee (G2E):
    The Government-to-Employee is the internal part of G2G section. It aims to bring employees together and improvise knowledge sharing. It provides online facilities to the employees. Similarly, applying for leave, reviewing salary payment record and checking the balance of holiday. The G2E sector yields human resource training and development. So, G2E is also the correlation between employees and government institutions.

Advantages of E-Governance:
The supreme goal of the e-governance is to be able to provide an increased portfolio of public services to citizens in a systematic and cost effective way. It allows for government transparency because it allows the public to be informed about what the government is working on as well as the policies they are trying to implement.

The main advantage while executing electronic government will be to enhance the efficiency of the current system.

Disadvantages of E-Governance:
The main disadvantage regarding e-governance is the absence of fairness in public access to the internet, of trustworthy information on the web and disguised agendas of government groups that could have impact and could bias public opinions.

Keeping Social Media Open During National Exams In Somalia Campaign is successful

July 25, 2021 bareedo Leave a comment All, Bareedo Core, Digital Rights

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Federal Government of Somalia concluded the national secondary exams for the school year of 2020-2021 without shutting down social media platforms to prevent exam cheating.

This is a remarkable change after in response of exam papers leaked on social media platforms in 2019, ministry ordered shut down of social media for five days as a measure to curb the incidence from recurring. This move greatly affected the flow of information as social media is a key source for latest news and information and also journalists depend on it for research, interaction and news distribution.

This was not the first time in Somalia but similar measures were put in a place in Somaliland, a self-declared independent region in Somalia.

As result of the efforts and campaigns made by Bareedo Platform to end the practice, the country’s national secondary exams were concluded in June 2, 2021 without disruption of social media communications to discourage cheating any more.

This is a remarkable progress and perseverance of flow of information and hoping that the practice remain sustained over the coming years as promised by the ministry.

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Bareedo Platform Delivers Training on Migrants’ Rights and Social Integration for Local Actors and Host Communities in Qardho, Puntland

June 25, 2021 bareedo Leave a comment All, Bareedo Core, Participatory Democracy, Promotion of Migrants’ Rights

As part of its continued efforts to promote migrants’ rights and support safe migration governance in Puntland, Bareedo Platform Somalia, in collaboration with the Refugees Affairs Department (RAD) under the Ministry of Interior of Puntland, conducted a two-day training session in Qardho focused on enhancing understanding of migrants’ rights, international labour standards, and the integration of migrants with host communities.

The training took place at Hotel Gufure in Qardho, Puntland, Somalia, from March 15 to 16, 2021, and brought together 30 participants, including representatives from local authorities, community leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the migrant community.

Puntland, particularly towns like Qardho, has increasingly become a hub for mixed migration flows. Strengthening the capacity of local authorities and community actors to support the rights and inclusion of migrants is vital for social cohesion and protection outcomes.

Training Objectives

The primary objectives of the training were to:

  • Increase awareness among local stakeholders on migrants’ rights and international labour standards.
  • Enhance understanding of the roles of government, civil society, and communities in supporting migrants.
  • Promote safe migration practices and social integration between migrant and host communities.
  • Strengthen coordination between local actors and government institutions in mixed migration governance.

Participants

A total of 30 participants attended the training, drawn from the following sectors:

  • Qardho Local Authority officials
  • Traditional and community leaders
  • Local youth groups
  • Civil society organizations (CSOs)
  • Key representatives from the migrant community residing in Qardho

The training ensured representation of both host and migrant populations, encouraging inclusive dialogue and shared learning.

Training Content and Facilitation

The training was facilitated by two experienced experts—one from Bareedo Platform Somalia and one from Puntland’s Refugees Affairs Department (RAD).

Key training topics included:

  • Introduction to international legal frameworks governing migrants’ rights
  • Overview of labour standards and protections for migrant workers
  • Principles of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence between migrants and host communities
  • Roles and responsibilities of local authorities and CSOs in migrant protection and integration
  • Case studies and group exercises to build practical understanding of safe migration and referral mechanisms

Interactive methods such as group discussions, scenario-based role plays, and experience sharing were used to deepen participant engagement.

Outcomes and Reflections

The training was well-received by participants, who expressed appreciation for the knowledge shared and the inclusive platform it created. Notable outcomes included:

  • Increased understanding of migrant vulnerabilities and rights-based approaches to protection.
  • Strengthened trust and communication between migrant community members and host authorities.
  • Identification of joint priorities and challenges to be addressed through continued collaboration.
  • Renewed commitment among stakeholders to support integration, prevent exploitation, and ensure equal access to services for migrants.

Conclusion and Next Steps

This training marked an important step toward improving the capacity of local actors in Qardho to address migration-related issues with sensitivity, legal awareness, and community engagement. It aligns with Bareedo Platform’s broader mission to promote safe migration practices, protect migrant rights, and foster inclusive migrant governance in Puntland.

As a next step, Bareedo Platform Somalia plans to replicate similar trainings in other migration hotspot towns and continue engaging authorities, CSOs, and migrant leaders in policy dialogue, advocacy, and capacity development.

Government’s Forceful Dispersal Of Peaceful Parents Gathering In Mogadishu Is Unfortunate

May 17, 2021 bareedo Leave a comment All, Bareedo Core, Democratisation, Press Statement

It is unfortunate the use of excessive force and forcefully dispersing peaceful gathering organized by distressed parents on May 16, 2021 at Daljir Dahsoon in Mogadishu Somalia, demanding the government on whereabouts of their young men who were sent to Eritrea for military training. Parents and relatives have been continuously addressing their complaints through the local media and social media networks, demanding that the government give an explanation on their whereabouts, but government turns a deaf ear to their pleas and remained silent about the matter.

It is also unfortunate that journalists covering protests were also attacked by the security forces, beating a female radio journalist and confiscated her equipment, according to a statement released by the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Under the constitution of Federal Government of Somalia, people have a right to organize and participate in meetings, and to demonstrate and protest peacefully, without requiring prior authorization. These freedoms are suppressed; journalists are threatened, harassed, beaten, subjected to arbitrary arrests continuously.

We call on the Federal Government of Somalia to respect, protect and fulfill the right of demonstrators to peacefully protest, in line with the country’s constitution and International laws. We also call on the government to answer and convince the parents, relatives and friends whose loved ones are missing for years and have not heard of them since they were taken to Eritrea.

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