Somalia Lindsay and Megan

Geography

Fact Sheet Borders Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti with the Indian Ocean to the North and East Population: 9.6 million Relies on an agricultural economy, including bananas and livestock. Coastline provides an ample fishing industry as well

Political History British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland united in independence in 1960 Civil war from 1991 – 2006 when Siad Barre’s regime fell to clan- based opposition groups Large famine that threatened 1/3 – ½ of the population of Somalia

Continued United Nations intervention from on a humanitarian basis After peace-keeping failed and Somali protesters killed 24 Pakistanis and 18 US soldiers, troops withdrew Clan – based political structures as a “political instrument”

Uniqueness New federal government Representative of the population across geographical regions and family clans Somali elders elected the parliament “New Deal”: “promotes state-building and peace-building over the next three years, and seeks to start to strengthen the country’s political processes, security, legal system and economic foundation” Reducing piracy Building and restoring schools and hospitals Funding for police stations and courts Pledged to take responsibility for development, including individual rights and stable security and economy

Challenges to the State Lack of a unified central government Civil war/clan warfare  chaos, violence and unrest al-Shabaab – Somalian based militant Islamist group. Directly connected to al-Qaeda Piracy Disease Poor healthcare system Drought Famines Reliance on foreign aid Most recent attack on Nairobi mall carried out by Al-Shabaab insurgents U.N. Monitoring Group’s report on Somalian public finances The Somali government, although internationally recognized, is weak; its army is mostly a mixture of militias still loyal to quarrelling warlords (Doyle, 2013).

Current Events What/Where: Terrorist attack on the Westgate mall in Nairobi, Kenya. When: September 21, 2013 Who: al-Shabaab militants from Somalia. Duration: 4 days of fighting Outcome: At least 67 killed (foreigners included), many unaccounted for and hundreds wounded. 5 terrorists killed of an estimated in the mall Numerous arrests of suspects involved in the planning and execution. Why: Retaliation for Kenya’s… Support for Madobe an ex-senior al-Shabaab leader. Mobilization of troops into Al- Shabaab controlled territories in Success in gaining control of Kismayu (key port city for al- Shabaab) from the al-Shabaab.

Ramifications Terrorism still an immediate threat to Somalia and neighboring states Government still does not have complete control over land and population Nation is attempting to rebuild after 20 years of civil war. Will this be a set back or will it propel them forward? High international involvement and support could

Bibliography Mohamed, Hamza (2013, September 24). Somalia intervention cited for mall assault.Al Jazeera. Retrieved from 65.html President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (2013, September 24). World must back stability in Somalia. CNN. Retrieved from stability-in-somalia/?iref=allsearch Søvndal, V. and Bach, C.F. (2013, September 30). Despite the Kenya mall tragedy,there is hope in the Horn of Africa. The Guardian. Retrieved fromhttp:// matters/2013/sep/30/kenya-westgate-mall-tragedy-africa Doyle, M. (2013, September 28). On the shifting frontlines of the fight against al Shabaab. The Guardian. Retrieved from al-shabaab