Somalia is a Federal Republic with an evolving civil society landscape shaped by prolonged conflict, fragile governance and ongoing state-building efforts. While the 2012 Provisional Constitution guarantees freedoms of association, expression and assembly, the enabling environment for CSOs remains constrained by insecurity, weak legal protections and limited civic space. Restrictive legislation, including Somalia’s Penal Code, is used to limit these freedoms, while CSOs, especially media organisations, operate amid political instability, armed conflict and occasional harassment by government security offices, particularly when criticising authorities.

Legal and regulatory frameworks for CSOs remain underdeveloped and inconsistently applied. At the federal level, CSOs are regulated under Article 54 of the Civil Code, while a unified NGO Bill has remained ineffective for years, leaving organisations subject to unclear registration procedures and potential government overreach. In some regions, local authorities impose informal restrictions on CSO activities, especially on sensitive issues such as women’s and minority rights.

Somali CSOs rely almost entirely on international donors, with minimal domestic support or public funding. This dependency undermines long-term sustainability and grassroots initiatives. Despite these constraints, civil society remains resilient, with youth-led organisations increasingly active in advocacy, peacebuilding and service delivery. Digital civic space remains relatively open, offering opportunities for advocacy and awareness-raising.