Digital and Social Media in Somaliland’s Electoral Landscape: Stakeholder Insights

The 2024 Somaliland elections marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s political evolution,
underscoring the increasing importance of digital and social media in shaping public discourse
and political participation. This report examines how various stakeholders—including political
parties, candidates, Civil Society Organizations, journalists, and voters—utilized digital
platforms during and after the 2024 election period. The analysis reveals a growing reliance on
social media for campaign messaging, voter engagement, pre-election debates, and overall
electoral oversight while highlighting challenges within the electoral process. Immediately after
the election, digital platforms continued to play a critical role in fostering dialogue, addressing
grievances, and sustaining democratic accountability. The findings underscore the transformative
power of digital media in Somaliland’s democratization and electoral processes and offer insights
into its potential for future consolidation into democratic processes.