COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: August 2023

This sub-profile should be read in conjunction with the 3.2.1. Overview.

COI summary

Electoral delegates, mostly elders, are the persons responsible to select members of the federal and state legislatures on behalf of their communities in indirect elections. They and their family members face targeting by Al-Shabaab who views the participation in any election as a crime against Islam [Targeting, 6.4., p. 96].  Al-Shabaab targeted electoral delegates associated with the presidential and parliamentary elections held in 2022 [Security 2023, 1.1., p. 18]. The group also killed electoral delegates involved with the Hirshabelle, South-West state and Jubbaland legislatures [Targeting, 6.4., p. 96]. Former electoral delegates were also killed by Al-Shabaab in Bay and Hiraan [Security 2023, 2.2.2., pp. 94, 122]. Al-Shabaab also killed a clan elder accusing him of ‘apostasy’ for allegedly participating in the country’s electoral process’ [Security 2023, 2.4.1., p. 122].

Conclusions and guidance 

   Do the acts qualify as persecution under Article 9 QD?   

Acts reported to be committed against individuals under this profile are of such severe nature that they amount to persecution (e.g. killing).

   What is the level of risk of persecution (well-founded fear)?   

In South-Central Somalia and Puntland, well-founded fear of persecution would in general be substantiated in the case of (former) electoral delegates.

In Somaliland, where Al-Shabaab has limited operational capacity, the risk of persecution for (former) electoral delegates is generally low. However, risk-impacting circumstances (e.g. area of origin and operational capacity of Al-Shabaab) should be given due consideration.

   Are the reasons for persecution falling within Article 10 QD (nexus)?   

Available information indicates that persecution of this profile is highly likely to be for reasons of religion and/or (imputed) political opinion.