Abdirashid Ibrahim

📣NEW: #FreedomInTheWorld 2026 is now LIVE! freedomhouse.org/report/freedom… Military coups, violence against peaceful protestors, and efforts to weaken constitutional safeguards drove deterioration in 2025, which also marked the 20th consecutive year of decline in global freedom. Global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025. A total of 54 countries experienced deterioration in their political rights and civil liberties, while only 35 countries registered improvements. The biggest score declines were in Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, Madagascar, Burkina Faso and El Salvador. The biggest improvements were recorded in Syria, Sri Lanka, Bolivia and Gabon. The 20 consecutive years of decline in global freedom have been a boon for the world’s autocracies, which have swelled in number and hardened their repression. In 2005, 45 countries were rated Not Free; today, 59 are rated Not Free. While respect for many fundamental rights has deteriorated during the last 20 years, media freedom, freedom of personal expression, and due process have suffered the heaviest impacts. Autocrats have not been the only culprits behind attacks on these rights. Leaders in democracies have tried to undermine oversight and restrictions on their power, weakening freedom of expression and the rule of law in the process. Most people around the globe live in Partly Free and Not Free countries. 40 percent of the world’s population reside in a country that experienced a decline in political rights and civil liberties in 2025. The US score declined by 3 points in 2025, bringing the total number of points lost since 2005 to 12. Following Bulgaria and Nauru, this is the third largest 20-year decline of any country still rated Free. Most democracies remain resilient in the face of daunting challenges. Despite internal pressures and threats from foreign powers, democracies continue to demonstrate that their domestic political systems are responsive and capable of course correction. Of the 87 countries rated Free in 2005, a total of 76—more than 85 percent—have remained Free throughout the two-decade period of global decline. Explore more from #FreedomInTheWorld 2026: freedomhouse.org/report/freedom…

Historic moment: @RepJohnRose has introduced the Somaliland Economic Access and Opportunity Act in Congress. Thank you, Congressman Rose and cosponsors @PatHarriganNC and @AndyOgles, for recognizing that Somaliland's financial inclusion serves both our nations' economic and security interests. This is meaningful progress. What is the Somaliland Economic Access and Opportunity Act, introduced today by @RepJohnRose? Here's what this legislation does and why it matters for U.S.-Somaliland relations. The bill acknowledges a critical challenge: Somaliland faces significant barriers accessing U.S. and international financial systems– affecting consumer banking, trade, counterterrorism, and anti-money laundering efforts. These barriers impact our 6.2 million citizens and limit economic cooperation with strategic partners. The legislation directs the Treasury Secretary to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days analyzing: • Legal and regulatory barriers to financial access, including the SWIFT payment system • Compliance with international AML/CTF standards • Steps Somaliland can take to enhance transparency • How the U.S. can facilitate responsible financial engagement. Why this matters: The bill recognizes Somaliland's strategic position in the Horn of Africa and finds that "enhanced financial access, conducted under appropriate compliance safeguards, would serve to strengthen U.S. policy objectives in the region.” This is how security partnerships advance – through transparency, compliance, and mutual interest. Thank you again to @RepJohnRose and cosponsors @PatHarriganNC and @AndyOgles for this important step forward.

Somaliland delegation of water professionals in Israel studying how we overcame water shortages through technology. A training program of @MASHAVisrael, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation. 🇮🇱 Israel. Building bridges; uplifting lives. Open for business.