Democracy in Somalia
Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has pushed through controversial constitutional reforms giving him sweeping powers—like the ability to appoint the prime minister without parliamentary oversight—triggering a major backlash. Semi-autonomous regions such as Puntland and Jubaland rejected the changes. Puntland immediately withdrew its recognition of the federal government, and Jubaland followed suit shortly after, suspending ties and deepening political fragmentation. In Jubaland, incumbent leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) was re-elected to a third term through a regional vote deemed illegitimate by Mogadishu. The federal government responded by issuing an arrest warrant for Madobe, who struck back with a reciprocal warrant for President Mohamud. Escalating tensions led to military clashes—particularly at Ras Kamboni—highlighting the depths of the constitutional and territorial crisis.
Key Stats
Democratic History
This page offers a comprehensive overview of Somalia's government and political history through two key interactive visualisations. The first section provides a detailed table showcasing vital political and economic indicators, such as Somalia's population, GDP, government structure, age and tenure of the current president, military regime status, and democracy metrics.
The second section presents a historical and political chronology of Somalia, highlighting significant milestones such as independence, referendum history, coups, notable wars, and democratic progress. Together, these visualisations provide a rich resource for understanding Somalia's governance, leadership, and democratic evolution, catering to researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in African political history.
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