Exploring the Determinants of Public Trust in Government in Somalia: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

Whether in a democratic or non-democratic system, public trust is a fundamental component for the survival and development of any political system. Using a comprehensive representative survey, this study examines and assesses the factors influencing public trust in the Somali government. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire completed by 354 Somali residents in Mogadishu. The data were examined using a quantitative structural equation modeling approach with SmartPLS 4. Additionally, our analysis of the study findings revealed that the quality of public services, Participation in government, and Transparency all have positive and significant effects on public trust in government; in contrast, citizen satisfaction with police services has a negligible impact on public trust in government. However, citizens believe in and trust their governments regarding responsiveness, top-notch public services, and government openness. As a result, citizens fulfill their obligations honestly and fairly. By identifying the factors influencing public trust in the government, this study contributes to the empirical knowledge base used to develop targeted and practical initiatives to enhance public trust.

Good Governance, Public Service Delivery and Public Trust: Case of Banadir Regional Administration of Somalia

“…addtitionally, they supported the notiona that transparency and open government initiatives have significantly enhanced legitimacy and trust in the government. Ahmed (2023) investigated the factors that contribute to public trust in the Somali government, and found that public trust in government is positively influenced by the quality of public services, participation in government, and transparency.…”