COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: October 2025
For general information on the individual circumstances which may be relevant to consider in the assessment of a serious and individual threat in territories where the ‘mere presence’ threshold is not reached, see ‘EUAA, 'Serious and individual threat' in Country Guidance: Explained, February 2025’.
In the context of the ‘sliding scale’, each case should be assessed individually, taking into account the applicant’s personal circumstances together with the nature and intensity of the violence in their home area (see also Indiscriminate violence). It is not feasible to provide exhaustive guidance as to what the relevant personal circumstances could be and how those should be assessed. Individual elements can exist in combination. Other factors may also be relevant.
Below are some examples of personal circumstances to be taken into account, where the ‘mere presence’ threshold is not reached, in the context of Somalia:
-
Age: Children and elderly people may not be able to move without help or be able to quickly assess and avoid risky locations. Furthermore, infrastructure damage in Somalia, mostly South-Central Somalia, is widespread, with schools and hospitals being sometimes attacked. In a few occasions, children have also been affected by explosive remnants of war, e.g. in Lower Shabelle region. Therefore, younger children and elderly persons may be more susceptible to indiscriminate violence.
-
Health condition and disabilities, including mental health issues: Indiscriminate attacks in Somalia, mostly in South-Central Somalia, have taken place in public spaces, including checkpoints hindering the access to hospitals. Some attacks in hospitals have been also reported in Las Anood. People with disabilities related to mobility may not be able to move without help. Furthermore, people with mental health issues might not be able to quickly assess and avoid risky situations. Persons with health issues required to visit the hospital on a regular basis might be also exposed to indiscriminate violence at checkpoints. Infrastructure damage in hospitals is also reported in the country. Therefore, some persons with health conditions may be more susceptible to indiscriminate violence.
-
Economic situation: The economic situation in Somalia is difficult. People in dire economic situation may be forced to expose themselves to risks, such as working in areas which are affected by indiscriminate violence.
-
Knowledge of the area: Some Somalis were born or have lived for an extensive period of time outside Somalia, such as in neighbouring countries. Such individuals may not have knowledge of the area and experience of local violence patterns; therefore they may be more susceptible to indiscriminate violence.
-
Profession and/or place of residence: Indiscriminate attacks in Somalia, mostly in South-Central Somalia, have taken place in public spaces such as restaurants, cafes, hotels, checkpoints, khat or mira markets. Persons who, due to their place of residence or professional activity, are frequently in the vicinity of such places (e.g. (employees of potentially targeted restaurants, hotels, airport, health workers) or people working outside a lot (e.g. street vendors, drivers) may be more susceptible to indiscriminate violence.
-
Family members or support network: Clans in Somalia offer shelter, support and protection for their clan members, depending also on the (military) strength a clan has. The clan can be a source of information, that is necessary to evaluate dangerous situations. Therefore, a person with no or limited clan support may be more susceptible to indiscriminate violence.
In some cases, these personal circumstances may be cumulative, leading to enhanced exposure to indiscriminate violence.