electricsheepafrica/africa-unsom-sgrhumanrights

---
annotations_creators:
- no-annotation
language_creators:
- found
language:
- en
license: cc-by-4.0
multilinguality:
- monolingual
size_categories:
- n<1K
source_datasets:
- original
task_categories:
- tabular-classification
task_ids: []
tags:
- africa
- humanitarian
- hdx
- electric-sheep-africa
- complex-emergency-conflict-security
- gender
- peacekeeping
- som
pretty_name: "Peace and Security Pillar: Human Rights Situation in Somalia, Data From Secretary General Reports"
dataset_info:
splits:
- name: train
num_examples: 21
- name: test
num_examples: 5
---

# Peace and Security Pillar: Human Rights Situation in Somalia, Data From Secretary General Reports

**Publisher:** United Nations Peace and Security Data Hub · **Source:** [HDX](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/unsom-sgrhumanrights) · **License:** `cc-by-igo` · **Updated:** 2026-04-09

---

## Abstract

This dataset was last updated in April 2023 and will no longer receive updates. Historical data remains available for reference.

This dataset is an extraction of information from the Secretary General's Report on the situation in Somalia (SG reports) since 2013. It provides quarterly total of civilian casualties, fatalities, persons arbitrarily arrested, children subject to grave violations, to reflect the country's human rights situation.

Each row in this dataset represents discrete events or incidents. Temporal coverage is indicated by the `start_of_reporting_period`, `end_of_reporting_period` column(s). Geographic scope: **SOM**.

*Curated into ML-ready Parquet format by [Electric Sheep Africa](https://huggingface.co/electricsheepafrica).*

---

## Dataset Characteristics

| | |
|---|---|
| **Domain** | Conflict and security |
| **Unit of observation** | Discrete events or incidents |
| **Rows (total)** | 27 |
| **Columns** | 23 (12 numeric, 8 categorical, 3 datetime) |
| **Train split** | 21 rows |
| **Test split** | 5 rows |
| **Geographic scope** | SOM |
| **Publisher** | United Nations Peace and Security Data Hub |
| **HDX last updated** | 2026-04-09 |

---

## Variables

**Geographic** — `country_or_area` (range 706.0–706.0), `number_of_persons_arbitrarily_arrested` (range 2.0–27.0), `breakdown_of_persons_arbitrarily_arrested` (Targeted attacks continued on journalists and human rights defenders, in particular on those defending victims in cases involving gender-based violence. Ten journalists (three in Kismaayo, three in Mogadishu and four in “Somaliland”) were arrested. No specific measures were taken to reinforce the protection of journalists, notwithstanding a statement by the Federal Government of Somalia indicating its intention to investigate attacks on journalists and bring the perpetrators to justice., In total, 66 individuals were arrested for issues related to the rights to freedom of expression and of assembly, including three journalists, one civil society activist in Puntland and one clan elder in “Somaliland”. Three television stations and one newspaper outlet were banned, while one of the television stations remains under suspension in “Somaliland”. On a positive note, the licenses of two media outlets that had been previously revoked were reinstated in “Somaliland” and a female poet who had been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in Hargeisa was released following a presidential pardon., Several incidents illustrated continued challenges to freedom of expression. A journalist was sentenced to 18 months in prison for defamation and false news in “Somaliland”, while two journalists were arrested and released without ch arges after reporting on a demonstration in Jubaland. The state of emergency imposed in Galmudug entailed restrictions on freedom of expression and information. A journalist died following injuries sustained from an Al -Shabaab attack in Beledweyne, in the Hiran region, in September. In “Somaliland”, one media outlet was closed, reportedly for broadcasting false news, and access to social media was blocked during the presidential elections in November.), `number_of_children_subject_to_grave_violations` (range 58.0–1654.0), `number_of_male_children_subject_to_grave_violations` (range 50.0–1372.0) and 3 others.

**Temporal** — `start_of_reporting_period`, `end_of_reporting_period`, `last_update`.

**Demographic** — `number_of_female_victims_of_sgbv` (range 2.0–158.0), `number_of_male_victims_of_sgbv` (range 0.0–5.0).

**Outcome / Measurement** — `number_of_civilian_casualties` (range 123.0–1301.0), `number_of_civilian_fatalities` (range 82.0–382.0), `number_of_children_victims_of_sgbv` (range 11.0–96.0).

**Identifier / Metadata** — `id` (range 1.0–27.0), `m49_code` (SOM), `source` (S/2013/709, S/2019/393, S/2022/665), `esa_source` (HDX), `esa_processed` (2026-04-09).

**Other** — `breakdown_of_civilian_casualties` (During the reporting period, a total of 123 civilian casualties were documented, compared with 113 over the previous reporting period. Of those, Al -Shabaab or unidentified armed individuals were implicated in the killing of 95 people, with Somali security forces implicated in the killing of 27 people and AMISOM forces implicated in 22 killings., There was a rise in human rights violations during the reporting period, due primarily to security operations and Al-Shabaab activity. Reported civilian casualties totalled 387, including 159 deaths and 228 injuries. Operations by security forces resulted in 83 civilian casualties, of which 16 deaths and 31 injuries were attributed to the Somali security forces; 5 deaths and 9 injuries to AMISOM; and 9 deaths, including of 4 children, and 11 injuries to air strikes by the Kenyan military operating bilaterally in Gedo region. Local elders denounced reported air strikes and later engaged the Government of Kenya, resulting in an agreement to cooperate to prevent civilian casualties. No outcome has been reported so far from the investigative committee established by the office of the Prime Minister of Somalia after the air strikes by the Kenyan military in Gedo in January, which reportedly resulted in 29 deaths and the destruction of livestock, water wells and houses., During the reporting period, UNSOM recorded 419 Somali civilian casualties (173 killed and 246 injured), a 2 per cent decrease compared with 428 civilian casualties recorded during the previous period. Unidentified actors were the main perpetrators, responsible for 249 civilian casualties (59 per cent), followed by 88 (21 per cent) attributed to Al-Shabaab, 46 (11 per cent) to state security forces, 30 (7 per cent) to clan militias and 6 (1 per cent) to the Liyu Police.), `breakdown_of_sgbv` (Gender-based violence remains a key protection concern, as over 80 per cent of recorded incidents have affected internally displaced persons, and 96 per cent of the survivors of such violence are women and girls. As at 15 August, 40 cases of conflict related sexual violence had been reported during the reporting period, involving elements of the Somali National Army, regional security forces, clan militias and Al-Shabaab., The United Nations continued to receive reports of sexual violence from across the country, mostly affecting displaced women and girls living in settlements for internally displaced persons. The monitoring and reporting mechanism, through its analysis reporting arrangements, received six reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence in September and October. Fifty-nine incidents of rape and other sexual violence, involving 58 girls and one boy, were reported by the country task force on monitoring and reporting., In total, from January to April, 56 incidents affecting 62 victims/survivors of conflict-related sexual violence were documented. All those affected were women and girls (56 minors and 6 adults).).

---

## Quick Start

```python
from datasets import load_dataset

ds = load_dataset("electricsheepafrica/africa-unsom-sgrhumanrights")
train = ds["train"].to_pandas()
test = ds["test"].to_pandas()

print(train.shape)
train.head()
```

---

## Schema

| Column | Type | Null % | Range / Sample Values |
|---|---|---|---|
| `id` | int64 | 0.0% | 1.0 – 27.0 (mean 14.0) |
| `country_or_area` | int64 | 0.0% | 706.0 – 706.0 (mean 706.0) |
| `m49_code` | object | 0.0% | SOM |
| `start_of_reporting_period` | datetime64[ns] | 0.0% | |
| `end_of_reporting_period` | datetime64[ns] | 0.0% | |
| `number_of_civilian_casualties` | float64 | 25.9% | 123.0 – 1301.0 (mean 464.2) |
| `number_of_civilian_fatalities` | float64 | 51.9% | 82.0 – 382.0 (mean 180.4615) |
| `breakdown_of_civilian_casualties` | object | 25.9% | During the reporting period, a total of 123 civilian casualties were documented, compared with 113 over the previous reporting period. Of those, Al -Shabaab or unidentified armed individuals were implicated in the killing of 95 people, with Somali security forces implicated in the killing of 27 people and AMISOM forces implicated in 22 killings., There was a rise in human rights violations during the reporting period, due primarily to security operations and Al-Shabaab activity. Reported civilian casualties totalled 387, including 159 deaths and 228 injuries. Operations by security forces resulted in 83 civilian casualties, of which 16 deaths and 31 injuries were attributed to the Somali security forces; 5 deaths and 9 injuries to AMISOM; and 9 deaths, including of 4 children, and 11 injuries to air strikes by the Kenyan military operating bilaterally in Gedo region. Local elders denounced reported air strikes and later engaged the Government of Kenya, resulting in an agreement to cooperate to prevent civilian casualties. No outcome has been reported so far from the investigative committee established by the office of the Prime Minister of Somalia after the air strikes by the Kenyan military in Gedo in January, which reportedly resulted in 29 deaths and the destruction of livestock, water wells and houses., During the reporting period, UNSOM recorded 419 Somali civilian casualties (173 killed and 246 injured), a 2 per cent decrease compared with 428 civilian casualties recorded during the previous period. Unidentified actors were the main perpetrators, responsible for 249 civilian casualties (59 per cent), followed by 88 (21 per cent) attributed to Al-Shabaab, 46 (11 per cent) to state security forces, 30 (7 per cent) to clan militias and 6 (1 per cent) to the Liyu Police. |
| `number_of_persons_arbitrarily_arrested` | float64 | 44.4% | 2.0 – 27.0 (mean 9.9333) |
| `breakdown_of_persons_arbitrarily_arrested` | object | 44.4% | Targeted attacks continued on journalists and human rights defenders, in particular on those defending victims in cases involving gender-based violence. Ten journalists (three in Kismaayo, three in Mogadishu and four in “Somaliland”) were arrested. No specific measures were taken to reinforce the protection of journalists, notwithstanding a statement by the Federal Government of Somalia indicating its intention to investigate attacks on journalists and bring the perpetrators to justice., In total, 66 individuals were arrested for issues related to the rights to freedom of expression and of assembly, including three journalists, one civil society activist in Puntland and one clan elder in “Somaliland”. Three television stations and one newspaper outlet were banned, while one of the television stations remains under suspension in “Somaliland”. On a positive note, the licenses of two media outlets that had been previously revoked were reinstated in “Somaliland” and a female poet who had been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in Hargeisa was released following a presidential pardon., Several incidents illustrated continued challenges to freedom of expression. A journalist was sentenced to 18 months in prison for defamation and false news in “Somaliland”, while two journalists were arrested and released without ch arges after reporting on a demonstration in Jubaland. The state of emergency imposed in Galmudug entailed restrictions on freedom of expression and information. A journalist died following injuries sustained from an Al -Shabaab attack in Beledweyne, in the Hiran region, in September. In “Somaliland”, one media outlet was closed, reportedly for broadcasting false news, and access to social media was blocked during the presidential elections in November. |
| `number_of_children_subject_to_grave_violations` | float64 | 3.7% | 58.0 – 1654.0 (mean 630.8846) |
| `number_of_male_children_subject_to_grave_violations` | float64 | 3.7% | 50.0 – 1372.0 (mean 513.9231) |
| `number_of_female_children_subject_to_grave_violations` | float64 | 3.7% | 8.0 – 282.0 (mean 115.8462) |
| `breakdown_of_grave_violations_against_children` | object | 3.7% | During the reporting period, 449 cases of grave violations against children (355 boys and 65 girls), in particular abduction, recruitment and killing and maiming of children, were documented. Most incidents were reported from the southern and central regions of Somalia. Since the beginning of 2013, 1,100 children (863 boys and 237 girls) formerly associated with armed forces or groups and children with other vulnerabilities (including those in street situations), benefited from reintegration programmes. Of those children, 110 (65 boys and 45 girls) are enrolled in formal schools, while the rest are in vocational training., A total of 61 incidents of grave violations affecting 58 children (50 boys and 8 girls) were reported. The violations mostly involved the recruitment and use of children by security forces linked to the army and all ied militias, the police and Al-Shabaab, sexual violence and arbitrary arrest and detention. The standard operating procedures for handling children formerly associated with armed forces and groups were signed by the Minister of Defence and the Minister of National Security., From 7 to 31 May, the country task force on monitoring and reporting on grave violations against children in armed conflict verified 153 grave violations against 151 children (135 boys and 16 girls). A total of 72 children were victims of killing and maiming, 21 were abducted and 17 were subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence. Attacks on two schools were also verified. Of the violations, 71 (46 per cent) were attributed to Al-Shabaab, 44 (29 per cent) to the federal and state armed forces, 32 (21 per cent) to unknown armed elements, 3 (2 per cent) to clan militia and 3 (2 per cent) to Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama‘a. |
| `number_of_incidents_of_conflict_related_sexual_and_gender_based_violence` | float64 | 59.3% | 2.0 – 163.0 (mean 30.5455) |
| `number_of_female_victims_of_sgbv` | float64 | 66.7% | 2.0 – 158.0 (mean 33.1111) |
| `number_of_male_victims_of_sgbv` | float64 | 70.4% | 0.0 – 5.0 (mean 0.75) |
| `number_of_children_victims_of_sgbv` | float64 | 44.4% | 11.0 – 96.0 (mean 60.8) |
| `breakdown_of_sgbv` | object | 59.3% | Gender-based violence remains a key protection concern, as over 80 per cent of recorded incidents have affected internally displaced persons, and 96 per cent of the survivors of such violence are women and girls. As at 15 August, 40 cases of conflict related sexual violence had been reported during the reporting period, involving elements of the Somali National Army, regional security forces, clan militias and Al-Shabaab., The United Nations continued to receive reports of sexual violence from across the country, mostly affecting displaced women and girls living in settlements for internally displaced persons. The monitoring and reporting mechanism, through its analysis reporting arrangements, received six reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence in September and October. Fifty-nine incidents of rape and other sexual violence, involving 58 girls and one boy, were reported by the country task force on monitoring and reporting., In total, from January to April, 56 incidents affecting 62 victims/survivors of conflict-related sexual violence were documented. All those affected were women and girls (56 minors and 6 adults). |
| `source` | object | 0.0% | S/2013/709, S/2019/393, S/2022/665 |
| `last_update` | datetime64[ns] | 0.0% | |
| `esa_source` | object | 0.0% | HDX |
| `esa_processed` | object | 0.0% | 2026-04-09 |

---

## Numeric Summary

| Column | Min | Max | Mean | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `id` | 1.0 | 27.0 | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| `country_or_area` | 706.0 | 706.0 | 706.0 | 706.0 |
| `number_of_civilian_casualties` | 123.0 | 1301.0 | 464.2 | 380.0 |
| `number_of_civilian_fatalities` | 82.0 | 382.0 | 180.4615 | 159.0 |
| `number_of_persons_arbitrarily_arrested` | 2.0 | 27.0 | 9.9333 | 6.0 |
| `number_of_children_subject_to_grave_violations` | 58.0 | 1654.0 | 630.8846 | 582.5 |
| `number_of_male_children_subject_to_grave_violations` | 50.0 | 1372.0 | 513.9231 | 437.5 |
| `number_of_female_children_subject_to_grave_violations` | 8.0 | 282.0 | 115.8462 | 122.0 |
| `number_of_incidents_of_conflict_related_sexual_and_gender_based_violence` | 2.0 | 163.0 | 30.5455 | 8.0 |
| `number_of_female_victims_of_sgbv` | 2.0 | 158.0 | 33.1111 | 8.0 |
| `number_of_male_victims_of_sgbv` | 0.0 | 5.0 | 0.75 | 0.0 |
| `number_of_children_victims_of_sgbv` | 11.0 | 96.0 | 60.8 | 68.0 |

---

## Curation

Raw data was downloaded from HDX via the CKAN API and converted to Parquet. Column names were lowercased and standardised to snake_case. Common missing-value markers (`N/A`, `null`, `none`, `-`, `unknown`, `no data`, `#N/A`) were unified to `NaN`. 3 column(s) were cast from string to numeric or datetime based on parse-success rate (>85% threshold). The dataset was split 80/20 into train and test partitions using a fixed random seed (42) and saved as Snappy-compressed Parquet.

---

## Limitations

- Data originates from United Nations Peace and Security Data Hub and has not been independently validated by ESA.
- Automated cleaning cannot correct for misreported values, definitional inconsistencies, or sampling bias in the original collection.
- The following columns have >20% missing values and should be treated with caution in modelling: `number_of_civilian_casualties`, `number_of_civilian_fatalities`, `breakdown_of_civilian_casualties`, `number_of_persons_arbitrarily_arrested`, `breakdown_of_persons_arbitrarily_arrested`, `number_of_incidents_of_conflict_related_sexual_and_gender_based_violence`, `number_of_female_victims_of_sgbv`, `number_of_male_victims_of_sgbv`....
- Refer to the [original HDX dataset page](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/unsom-sgrhumanrights) for the publisher's own methodology notes and caveats.

---

## Citation

```bibtex
@dataset{hdx_africa_unsom_sgrhumanrights,
title = {Peace and Security Pillar: Human Rights Situation in Somalia, Data From Secretary General Reports},
author = {United Nations Peace and Security Data Hub},
year = {2026},
url = {https://data.humdata.org/dataset/unsom-sgrhumanrights},
note = {Repackaged for machine learning by Electric Sheep Africa (https://huggingface.co/electricsheepafrica)}
}
```

---

*[Electric Sheep Africa](https://huggingface.co/electricsheepafrica) — Africa's ML dataset infrastructure. Lagos, Nigeria.*