reinforce regional security

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005

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@Somalia

Introduction Somalia

Background:
The regime of Mohamed SIAD Barre was ousted in January 1991;
turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the years
since. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent
Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions
of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not
recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable
existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and
economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and
American military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and
Nugaal and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring self-declared
autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since
1998, but does not aim at independence; it has also made strides
towards reconstructing a legitimate, representative government, but
has suffered some civil strife. Puntland disputes its border with
Somaliland as it also claims portions of eastern Sool and Sanaag.
Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in
the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN
withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order
still had not been restored. The mandate of the Transitional
National Government (TNG), created in August 2000 in Arta, Djibouti,
expired in August 2003. New Somali President Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed
has formed a new Transitional Federal Government (TFG) consisting of
a 275-member parliament. It was established in October 2004 to
replace the TNG but has not yet moved to Mogadishu. Discussions
regarding the establishment of a new government in Mogadishu are
ongoing in Kenya. Numerous warlords and factions are still fighting
for control of the capital city as well as for other southern
regions. Suspicion of Somali links with global terrorism further
complicates the picture.

Geography Somalia

Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean,
east of Ethiopia

Geographic coordinates:
10 00 N, 49 00 E

Map references:
Africa

Area:
total: 637,657 sq km
land: 627,337 sq km
water: 10,320 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Texas