Somalia - August 2022

In the self-governing region of Somaliland, deadly protests broke out over opposition concerns that the region’s President, Muse Bihi Abdi, intends to delay the presidential elections scheduled for 13 November 2022. Media reports indicate that at least 5 people were killed, 100 injured and 100 arrested, including 2 journalists. Internet access was restricted during the protests. Accounts differ, but opposition party leaders claimed that some of the reported deaths occurred as a result of the use of excessive force by the security agencies against protestors. President Bihi asserted that the majority of the injured were members of the security agencies, who were attacked by armed protestors. The protests elicited a call for dialogue and stability from Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and a statement of concern from six diplomatic missions, including the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union.        

Sources: Middle East Monitor, Voice of America (1), The East African, Voice of America (2), Al Jazeera, Independent Online