Media Report
Barriers to Freedom: Somali CSOs Rally for Rights in Hargeisa Dialogue
Maansoor Hotel, Hargeisa — February 2025
Roundtable Dialogue on Barriers to Assembly, Association & Expression
Organized by: Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD) in collaboration with HANAHR, SWLA, PUMA
Supported by: CYS
CSO Group Photo in Hargeisa
“Together there is unity, becoming stronger and achieving higher impact.”
– Hamze Khaire, Director, SONSAF
Event Overview
| 🔹 Location | Maansoor Hotel, Hargeisa |
|---|---|
| 📅 Date | February 2025 |
| 👥 Participants | 35 total (24 Female, 11 Male) |
| Facilitators | Yasmin Abdi (SWLA), & CSHRD Team |
| Purpose | Tackling real-life constraints faced by CSOs, fostering collaboration, and proposing practical solutions to shrinking civic space in Somalia |
📊 INFOGRAPHICS
1. Gender Breakdown of Participants
2. Key Institutional Representation
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🏛 Government departments
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🕊 Human Rights Activists
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🎙 Media professionals
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👩⚖️ Women-led CSOs
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🌐 INGOs
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💻 Digital Security Experts
🔍 Core Objectives
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Enhance CSO collaboration and advocacy.
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Address shrinking civic space and policy gaps.
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Promote knowledge-sharing and networking among HRDs.
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Position CSHRD as a resilience-building hub for civil society.
CSO Roundtable Discussions in Hargeisa (Photo)
Highlights from the Dialogue
Yasmin Abdi (SWLA)
“This new year is a moment to reflect on what’s working — and what’s broken — in how civil society pushes for rights. Dialogue is our weapon.”
🔹 Naima Muse (PUMA)
Emphasized unified CSO voice:
“We need a task force among CSOs for ongoing dialogue and strategic review.”
🔹 Fardus (CSHRD)
Denounced policy-based restrictions:
“In many regions, CSO members are banned from cross-border engagement for international activities.”
🔹 Hassan Abdi (SOCNAF)
Warned of donor dependency:
“When funding stops, our work stops. We need local ownership and financial resilience.”
🔹 Khadra Ali (Gender and Protection Dept.)
Called for capacity building:
“We must train CSOs in proposal writing, donor engagement, and long-term sustainability.”
Group Work – Challenges & Solutions
🔸 Key Challenges Identified
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🔺 Shrinking funding
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🔺 Lack of donor trust
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🔺 Political interference
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🔺 Weak internal capacity
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🔺 Marginalization of women-led CSOs
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🔺 Conflict and climate risks
✅ Suggested Solutions
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✔ Diversified funding models (local + international)
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✔ Advocacy for legal protection frameworks
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✔ Capacity-building in communication and leadership
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✔ Establishment of a national CSO consortium
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✔ Localized fundraising strategies
🗂 Partner Organizations
| Organization | Role & Expertise |
|---|---|
| CSHRD | Lead coordinator & HRDs protection |
| HANAHR | Media outreach & women-led advocacy |
| PUMA | Media freedom, journalist protection |
| SWLA | Legal aid for women, gender-based advocacy |
🔗 CSHRD Website: www.cshrds.org
🔗 HANAHR Website: www.hanahr.net
Agreed Action Points
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🛠 Formation of a national CSO Task Force
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🏛 Advocacy for freedom of assembly laws
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💬 Regular CSO-government roundtables
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💡 Establish a common digital platform for HRDs
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📚 Launch training series on grant-writing & sustainability
Closing Remark
“A resilient civil society is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for peace and justice in Somalia.”by – Hanahr