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Sub Saharan Africa

Somalia

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Map of Somalia Last reviewed: 21 May 2009

Country information

POLITICS

Since 1991 over a dozen externally sponsored peace and reconciliation conferences have failed to provide a basis for restoring a government in Somalia. Meanwhile, local administrations, often clan or Islam-based, developed in much of the country. The most successful of these is in Somaliland. An administration has also been set up in Puntland, in the northeast. Over time, power has shifted somewhat from warlords to business, religious and traditional leaders. Traditional Islamic courts have coalesced loosely into the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which had become a potent political and military force by mid-2006.

Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) launched a political conference in Nairobi (Kenya) in October 2002. In the course of 2004 the participants agreed on a Transitional Federal Charter, appointed a Parliament (based on clan representation) and elected Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf as Somalia’s transitional President (10 October). A Prime Minister, Prof Ali Mohamed Gedhi, was appointed and a government was finalised in January 2005. But the new government team quickly showed signs of fragmenting. Abdulahi Yusuf left Nairobi in June and established his part of the government in Baidoa. In summer 2006 a coalition of warlords – claiming to be against extremism and terrorism - attacked the ICU. The latter’s successful counter-attack threatened the security of the TFG. Arab League sponsored talks in Khartoum, from June 2006 onwards, between representatives of the TFG and fsiled to stave off direct confrontation. In December 2006 Ethiopia, in response to a perceived threat to the TFG in Baidoa, launched an attack on the ICU. The latter retreated into the countryside, allowing the TFG to instal itself in Mogadishu in January 2007

Somaliland

In May 1991, the north-western region of Somalia (ie: the former British Protectorate of Somaliland) declared unilaterally its independence as the 'Republic of Somaliland'. A government was elected for an initial 2-year period at a conference of elders and in May 1993 former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Egal was elected President. Egal was re-elected for a five-year term by the National Communities Conference in Hargeisa in February 1997. A Parliament composed of members nominated by their clans was established, a new government was formed and a Constitution approved. A referendum on the Constitution took place on 31 May 2001. 97% of those voting supported the new constitution, which confirmed the region's unilateral secession from the rest of Somalia. Municipal elections were held in January 2003.

After the death of Egal in May 2002, Vice-President Dahir Riyale Kahim was sworn in as President. Presidential elections were held in May 2003 in which Riyale narrowly beat his opponent. Parliamentary elections were held on 29 September 2005. Somaliland’s stability has been widely acknowledged but it has not received formal recognition from the international community. It has stood aside from wider reconciliation processes but indicated its readiness to discuss relations with Somalia on a basis of equality once a new government is established in Mogadishu.

Somaliland Government website

Puntland

Puntland established a parliament and a Regional Government in 1998 and enjoys relative peace and stability. It defines itself as a federal state and has no aspirations to independence. A political crisis occurred in 2001 when President Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf (now TFG President) refused to stand down at the end of his constitutional term. Col. Jama Ali Jama won fresh elections but Yusuf refused to accept the vote. After clashes between their respective militias, Yusuf eventually triumphed and went on to consolidate his position. Gen Ade Musa has taken over the leadership in Puntland since Yusuf’s election as TFG President.

UN information service - IRIN

BBC News: Africa

Policy

For parliamentary interest, see Hansard.

HUMAN RIGHTS

The human rights situation is defined by the absence of effective state institutions. Somalis enjoy substantial freedoms - of association, expression, movement – but live largely without the protection of the state, access to security or institutional rule of law. Institutions are emerging in some parts of the country, especially Somaliland. Islamic courts play a significant role in Mogadishu. Overzealous application of supposedly Islamic law in the aftermath of the ICU’s successful struggle to secure Mogadishu attracted widespread media attention. Women generally have difficulty making their voices heard in the political arena but are currently playing a very active role in civil society organisations, which are flourishing in the absence of government.

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