the Solomon Islands' Government to restore law and order on the
islands and reinforce regional security

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

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@Somalia

Introduction Somalia

Background:
The SIAD BARRE regime 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
water: 10,320 sq km
land: 6