The internet access in the northern Somali town of Lasanod was forcefully shut down by the security forces of Somaliland, a self-declared region in northern Somalia that broke away and declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces started in Lasanod town on December 26, 2022, and have been ongoing for a week until January 2, 2023.

A large number of security forces that were deployed to Lasanod forced the local internet providers of Somtel and Golis to shut down the internet connection in the early morning of January 1, 2023, and also cut off electricity for many hours in order to contain the protesters’ coordination and record the brutality of the security forces. The Internet connection, which had been down for nearly 12 hours, was restored in the night.

In the same way, Somaliland shut down the Internet in August 2022 to stop protests against postponing the region’s presidential election. On August 11, 2022, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition of which Bareedo Platform is a member, criticized the move. The return of this kind of violation in January 1, 2023 is an unfortunate, and Bareedo Platform is calling on Somaliland authorities to end this and ensure free and open access to the internet.

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Somalia is currently experiencing its worst water scarcity in decades, driven by successive droughts and the ongoing climate crisis. According to a 2020 World Bank report, the availability of freshwater per person has sharply declined from 2,087 cubic meters in 1962 to just 411 cubic meters in 2017—well below the United Nations’ recommended minimum of 1,000 cubic meters per person. Additionally, 70% of Somalia’s rural population has limited access to safe drinking water, as highlighted in a February 2021 report by Save the Children.

The persistent decline in freshwater availability, compounded by recurring droughts, has intensified competition for water resources, frequently sparking conflicts in rural communities. While climate change plays a significant role in these water conflicts, the lack of effective community-based governance structures for water management and equitable access is a core underlying issue.

In 2022, Abdikhayr Mohamed Hussein, a senior member of the Bareedo Platform and a Bertha Challenge Fellow, embarked on a mission to address these urgent issues. Through a one-year fellowship supported by the Bertha Foundation, Abdikhayr worked closely with Somali rural communities, including clan elders and water sector stakeholders. His work focused on finding sustainable solutions to the water crisis and reducing conflicts stemming from water scarcity.

The result of his efforts was a groundbreaking manual, the first of its kind in Somalia, designed to guide rural communities in managing their water resources more effectively and equitably. This manual provides Somali traditional elders and community leaders with tools to establish community-based water management systems, mediate water-related disputes, and foster collaboration in the face of recurring droughts and climate threats.

More than just a set of instructions, the manual is a roadmap for empowering Somali communities to take control of their water resources. It builds their capacity to manage water sustainably, prevent disputes, and address the growing challenges posed by climate change. Abdikhayr’s work also seeks to inspire better policymaking in rural water governance by providing practical solutions and fostering community-based consensus.

The manual is designed for those most affected by the water crisis: rural communities, particularly livestock herders, as well as peacebuilding groups and water sector stakeholders. Traditional elders can use it to set up water management structures that ensure peaceful and fair resource sharing. Peacebuilding groups can draw on its guidance to resolve water-related conflicts and promote harmony. Water stakeholders can use it to inform their programs and initiatives in rural areas.

Now available in both Somali and English, the manual stands as a vital resource for Somalia’s rural communities as they navigate the challenges of water scarcity and climate change. It can be downloaded via the link below, offering hope and practical solutions to a nation in crisis.

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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In 1999, the General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the  World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. International Youth Day gives an opportunity to celebrate and mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions and initiatives, as well as their meaningful, universal and equitable engagement.

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While more people make their way onto the internet, it is no surprise that the amount of electronic violence against women also rises. This is not a new phenomenon in the world, but it is dealt with as part of the violence and discrimination that women and girls face offline and online throughout their lives. Despite the growing awareness in Somalia about the importance of using secure and safe Internet and the scarcity of data on online harassment and violence, the issue often goes unnoticed in discussions about violence against women. It’s not considered a grave form of violence or a significant issue in Somalia, and women rarely discuss online harassment and violence.

The recent speculation and heated discussions over a video showing the private parts of a young girl posted and distributed on social media without her consent are one of the hundred similar cases that our organization recorded in 2020. Bareedo Platform Somalia conducted a survey in one state of Somalia, revealing that 49% of the women surveyed had experienced stalking and harassment through messaging apps, with 39% reporting at least one and 33% reporting multiple hacks. Furthermore, according to 78% of the surveyed women, the consequences of online harassment are concerning, as it can lead to suicide, physical assault, emotional distress, and even the departure of women from education and online spaces due to reputational damage or fear for their personal safety. And while this happens, not many know how to prevent it, with 66% saying they have little understanding of the kind of protection or guidelines that the social media platform offers against the abuser due to poor digital literacy and language barriers.

When online harassment occurs, many victims feel vulnerable and are unaware of the actions that they can take to address the issue or unfamiliar with the ways that they can report complaints. Due to this, it is increasingly critical for women to develop cyber security skills, learn about online threats and how to protect their information and devices, and support women in developing the skills and knowledge they need to ensure they are secure and empowered digital citizens. Furthermore, we acknowledge that both online and offline violence against women significantly hinder the ability of women and girls to exercise their full range of human rights. Therefore, we urge the relevant stakeholders to implement the necessary steps to safeguard the internet from escalating threats and ensure it remains a secure environment for women and girls in Somalia.

If someone tries to blackmail you by threatening to publish private photos or videos of you or know someone is at risk of immediate harm, please contact our Digital Help Desk for technical assistance:- Email: Digitalrights@bareedo.org or Secure Email: Desk252@protonmail.com.