Major military offensives by AMISOM and tactical withdrawals by Al-Shabaab have led to territorial gains for the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and created opportunities for greater engagement by the international community. While South Central Somalia remains under the control of armed extremists, activities can be carried out in Mogadishu, as well as Mogadishu and the autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland, which enjoy a relative degree of stability.
Somalia has suffered a human rights crisis for the last 20 years, characterized by serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law. The protection of civilians in the context of the armed conflict, combined with impunity and lack of accountability, is of major concern. The lack of rule of law and the climate of insecurity has created an environment in which certain categories of professionals, such as journalists and judges, are increasingly targeted for extrajudicial killings. An entire generation has grown up with access to education and the country as a whole suffers from a lack of knowledge about human rights. Women and children’s rights are routinely violated.
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