Somalia is recovering after more than two decades of conflict but continues to face challenges. Some 2.6 million people remain internally displaced and a further 820,000 Somali refugees reside in other countries across the Horn of Africa and Yemen, as of the end of 2019. Since December 2014, more than 129,000 people have returned to Somalia spontaneously or through the UNHCR supported Voluntary Repatriation Programme (VRP). There were more than 35,672 refugees and asylum-seekers, mainly from Ethiopia and Yemen, registered in Somalia. Over 120,000 individuals were recorded in mixed flows in Somaliland and Puntland from Ethiopia and Yemen.
In 2019, the operational environment in Somalia remained dangerous and unpredictable. The armed group Al-Shabaab remained highly active. Mortar attacks inside the UN compound in Mogadishu in January and October complicated the security situation for humanitarian operations. In terms of political developments, the situation was tense in some federal member states and within the Federal Government itself. Elections in Jubbaland and Puntland drew mixed reactions from different players during the year, although elections ended peacefully in Puntland while in Jubbaland the election was disputed by the Federal Government. On a positive note, the Federal Government and member states managed to secure slots in the first ever Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Switzerland where the Government of Somalia was led by the Prime Minister—himself a former refugee—who was one of the speakers during the closuring ceremony.
In South Central Somalia, the security situation remained volatile. Though Al-Shabaab was present in the area, there was no major effect on service delivery except limitations on access to some areas. Recruitment of child soldiers by insurgents was reported to be on the increase in Hiraan region, particularly Beletweyne. Other regions including Gedo, Bay and Benadir had similar security situations. Insurgents used tactics such as suicide bombing in Benadir, targeted killings, and improvised explosive device (IED) explosions which targeted both civilians and UN protected areas.
In 2019 about 3,477 Somali refugee individuals returned out of 17,000 planned. Somalia also experienced serious flooding which instigated more displacements., Also towards the end of 2019 parts of Somaliland and Puntland were hit by cyclones, which contributed to further displacements.
In Puntland, security incidents increased, with a critical incident when a UN staff member was shot to death. Al-Shabaab maintained its presence in Mudug, Galgaduud, Bari and Nugaal regions, demonstrating the capacity and means to carry out both large- and small-scale attacks. Their primary targets were government officials and entities through assassinations and IED attacks on a regular basis. In addition, ISIS still has a presence in Qandala and Alula areas in Bari region though with limited capacity.
The disputed regions/borders between Somaliland and Puntland remain unsolved. Tensions between the two States in Tukraq town continue to escalate sporadically. The political dispute over the control of Galmuduug between Galmudug Administration and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) continued although efforts were underway to solve the situation.