Impact of Social Media on Political Mobilization in Somalia: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

This study examined the impact of social media on political mobilization in Somalia, with particular attention to the opportunities and challenges associated with digital political engagement in a fragile political context. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from 216 social media users in Mogadishu using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages. The findings show that social media is widely used for political communication and mobilization, with Facebook emerging as the most frequently used platform, followed by WhatsApp and LinkedIn. A large proportion of respondents reported regular exposure to political content, and 88.8% agreed that social media influences political mobilization in Somalia. The main opportunities identified were increased political awareness, improved access to political information, youth mobilization, communication with leaders, and support for democratic participation. However, the study also found major challenges, particularly misinformation and fake news, political polarization, low digital literacy, online harassment, and weak regulation of harmful content. Although social media has strengthened civic awareness and online engagement, its ability to translate digital participation into sustained offline political action remains limited. The study concludes that social media functions as a double-edged sword in Somalia’s political landscape and recommends strengthening digital literacy, responsible online engagement, and regulatory frameworks to enhance democratic participation and political stability.