Freedom Status: Partly Free
Aggregate Score: 44 (0 = Least Free, 100 = Most Free)
Freedom Rating: 4.5 (1 = Most Free, 7 = Least Free)
Political Rights: 4 (1 = Most Free, 7 = Least Free)
Civil Liberties: 5 (1 = Most Free, 7 = Least Free)
Quick Facts
Population: 3,500,000
Press Freedom Status: Partly Free
OVERVIEW
Elections in Somaliland – whose self-declared independence from Somalia is not internationally recognized – have been relatively free and fair, but years-long delays have meant that elected officials serve well beyond their original mandates. Journalists face pressure from authorities, and police have employed excessive force and engaged in arbitrary detention. Minor clans are subject to political and economic marginalization, and violence against women remains a serious problem.
Ratings Change: Somaliland's political rights rating improved from 5 to 4 due to the holding of a long-delayed presidential election.
Key Developments in 2017:
Aggregate Score: 44 (0 = Least Free, 100 = Most Free)
Freedom Rating: 4.5 (1 = Most Free, 7 = Least Free)
Political Rights: 4 (1 = Most Free, 7 = Least Free)
Civil Liberties: 5 (1 = Most Free, 7 = Least Free)
Quick Facts
Population: 3,500,000
Press Freedom Status: Partly Free
OVERVIEW
Elections in Somaliland – whose self-declared independence from Somalia is not internationally recognized – have been relatively free and fair, but years-long delays have meant that elected officials serve well beyond their original mandates. Journalists face pressure from authorities, and police have employed excessive force and engaged in arbitrary detention. Minor clans are subject to political and economic marginalization, and violence against women remains a serious problem.
Ratings Change: Somaliland's political rights rating improved from 5 to 4 due to the holding of a long-delayed presidential election.
Key Developments in 2017:
- In March, the upper legislative chamber, the Guurti, voted to further postpone the presidential election until November and the parliamentary and local elections until April 2019.
- The presidential election, originally due in 2015, proceeded in November. Ruling party candidate Muse Bihi Abdi won with 55 percent of the vote and took office in December.
- Harassment of journalists remained a problem, with the Somaliland Human Rights Centre (HRC) reporting that 25 journalists were detained during the year.
