Somalia

Somalia

Introduction

Background

Britain withdrew from British Somaliland in 1960 to allow its protectorate to join with Italian Somaliland and form the new nation of Somalia. In 1969, a coup headed by Mohamed SIAD Barre ushered in an authoritarian socialist rule characterized by the persecution, jailing and torture of political opponents and dissidents. After the regime’s collapse early in 1991, Somalia descended into turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy. In May 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 and continues efforts to establish a constitutional democracy, including holding municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections. The regions of Bari, Nugaal, and northern Mudug comprise a neighboring semi-autonomous state of Puntland, which has been self-governing since 1998 but does not aim at independence

it has also made strides toward 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. In 2000, the Somalia National Peace Conference (SNPC) held in Djibouti resulted in the formation of an interim government, known as the Transitional National Government (TNG). When the TNG failed to establish adequate security or governing institutions, the Government of Kenya, under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), led a subsequent peace process that concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed as President of a second interim government, known as the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Somali Republic. The TFG included a 275-member parliamentary body, known as the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). President YUSUF resigned late in 2008 while United Nations-sponsored talks between the TFG and the opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) were underway in Djibouti. In January 2009, following the creation of a TFG-ARS unity government, Ethiopian military forces, which had entered Somalia in December 2006 to support the TFG in the face of advances by the opposition Islamic Courts Union (ICU), withdrew from the country. The TFP was increased to 550 seats with the addition of 200 ARS and 75 civil society members of parliament. The expanded parliament elected Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed, the former CIC and ARS chairman as president on 31 January 2009, in Djibouti. Subsequently, President SHARIF appointed Omar Abdirashid ali SHARMARKE, son of a former president of Somalia, as prime minister on 13 February 2009. SHARMARKE resigned in September 2010 and was replaced by Mohamed Abdullahi MOHAMED, aka Farmajo, a dual US-Somali citizen who lived in the United States from 1985 until his return to Somalia in October 2010. The creation of the TFG was based on the Transitional Federal Charter (TFC), which outlines a five-year mandate leading to the establishment of a new Somali constitution and a transition to a representative government following national elections. However, in January 2009 the TFP amended the TFC to extend TFG’s mandate until 2011.

Geography

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
country comparison to the world: 44 land:627,337 sq km
water:10,320 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries

total: 2,340 km
border countries:Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km

Coastline

3,025 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate

principally desert

northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south

southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons

Terrain

mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:Shimbiris 2,416 m

Natural resources

uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves

Land use

arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops:0.04%
other:98.32% (2005)

Irrigated land

2,000 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

15.7 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 3.29cu km/yr (0%/0%/100%)
per capita:400cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

recurring droughts

frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer

floods during rainy season

Environment – current issues

famine

use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems

deforestation

overgrazing

soil erosion

desertification

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Somali(s)
adjective:Somali

Ethnic groups

Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including 30,000 Arabs)

Languages

Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

Religions

Sunni Muslim

Population

9,925,640 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86 note:this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government

population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare

Age structure

0-14 years: 44.7% (male 2,217,890/female 2,217,063)
15-64 years:52.9% (male 2,663,729/female 2,588,716)
65 years and over:2.4% (male 95,859/female 142,383) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 17.8 years
male:17.8 years
female:17.7 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.603% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Birth rate

42.71 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Death rate

14.87 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Net migration rate

-11.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213

Urbanization

urban population: 37% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:4.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

MOGADISHU (capital) 1.353 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.7 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

1,200 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 2

Infant mortality rate

total: 105.56 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 5 male:114.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female:96.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 50.4 years
country comparison to the world: 212 male:48.49 years
female:52.37 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.35 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Physicians density

0.035 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 182

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 67% of population
rural: 9% of population
total: 30% of population
unimproved:
urban: 33% of population
rural: 91% of population
total: 70% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 52% of population
rural: 6% of population
total: 23% of population
unimproved:
urban: 48% of population
rural: 94% of population
total: 77% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

34,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65

HIV/AIDS – deaths

1,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:dengue fever, malaria, and Rift Valley fever
water contact disease:schistosomiasis
animal contact disease:rabies (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

32.8% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 14

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:37.8%
male:49.7%
female:25.8% (2001 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 3 years
male:3 years
female:2 years (2007)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form:Somalia
local long form:Jamhuuriyada Demuqraadiga Soomaaliyeed
local short form:Soomaaliya
former:Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic

Government type

no permanent national government

transitional, parliamentary federal government

Capital

name: Mogadishu
geographic coordinates:2 04 N, 45 22 E
time difference:UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

18 regions (plural – NA, singular – gobolka)

Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe (Middle Jubba), Jubbada Hoose (Lower Jubba), Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe (Middle Shabeelle), Shabeellaha Hoose (Lower Shabeelle), Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed

Independence

1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland that became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960 and Italian Somaliland that became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960 to form the Somali Republic)

National holiday

Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960)

note – 26 June (1960) in Somaliland

Constitution

25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979
note:the formation of transitional governing institutions, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is currently ongoing

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law, Islamic law, and customary law (referred to as Xeer)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Transitional Federal President Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (since 31 January 2009)

note – a transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004

the TFIs relocated to Somalia in June 2004

in 2009, the TFIs were given a two-year extension to October 2011
head of government:Prime Minister ABDIWELI Mohamed Ali (since 28 June 2011)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) election results:Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed elected president by the expanded Transitional Federal Assembly in Djibouti

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly
note:unicameral Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA) (550 seats

475 members appointed according to the 4.5 clan formula, with the remaining 75 seats reserved for civil society and business persons)

Judicial branch

following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or sharia (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: numerous clan and sub-clan factions exist both in support and in opposition to the transitional government

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US

Somalia does not have an embassy in the US (ceased operations on 8 May 1991)

note – the Transitional Federal Government is represented in the United States through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Somalia

US interests are represented by the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya at United Nations Avenue, Nairobi

mailing address: Unit 64100, Nairobi

APO AE 09831

telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000

FAX [254] (20) 363-6157

Flag description

light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center

the blue field was originally influenced by the flag of the UN, but today is said to denote the sky and the neighboring Indian Ocean

the five points of the star represent the five regions in the horn of Africa that are inhabited by Somali people: the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland (which together make up Somalia), Djibouti, Ogaden (Ethiopia), and the Northern Frontier District (Kenya)

National symbol(s)

leopard

National anthem

name: “Soomaaliyeey toosoo” (Somalia Wake Up)
lyrics/music:Ali Mire AWALE and Yuusuf Xaaji Aadan Cilmi QABILLE
note:adopted 2000

written in 1947, the lyrics speak of creating unity and an end to fighting

Government – note

although an interim government was created in 2004, other regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various regions of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia and the semi-autonomous State of Puntland in northeastern Somalia

Economy

Economy – overview

Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia has maintained a healthy informal economy, largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Agriculture is the most important sector with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia’s principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia’s small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and the machinery sold as scrap metal. Somalia’s service sector also has grown. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually. Mogadishu’s main market offers a variety of goods from food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Due to armed attacks on and threats to humanitarian aid workers, the World Food Programme partially suspended its operations in southern Somalia in early January 2010 pending improvement in the security situation. Somalia’s arrears to the IMF have continued to grow.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.896 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158 $5.75 billion (2009 est.)
$5.607 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.372 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

2.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134 2.6% (2009 est.)
2.6% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222 $600 (2009 est.)
$600 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 60.2%
industry:7.4%
services:32.5% (2008 est.)

Labor force

3.447 million (few skilled laborers) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 96

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 71%
industry and services:29% (1975)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

NA%

Budget

revenues: $NA
expenditures:$NA

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA%
note:businesses print their own money, so inflation rates cannot be easily determined

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA%

Agriculture – products

bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans

cattle, sheep, goats

fish

Industries

a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Electricity – production

315 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Electricity – consumption

293 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

110 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120

Oil – consumption

5,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169

Oil – exports

1,109 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117

Oil – imports

3,827 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas – proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

Exports

$300 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 175

Exports – commodities

livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal

Exports – partners

UAE 51.3%, Yemen 19.8%, Oman 13% (2010)

Imports

$798 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 177

Imports – commodities

manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat

Imports – partners

Djibouti 31.5%, Kenya 8.2%, Pakistan 7.4%, China 6.5%, Brazil 5.7%, Yemen 5.1%, Oman 5%, UAE 4.9% (2010)

Debt – external

$3 billion (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

Exchange rates

Somali shillings (SOS) per US dollar -
NA (2007-10)
1,438.3 (2006) official rate

the unofficial black market rate was about 23,000 shillings per dollar as of February 2007, the Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared independent country not recognized by any foreign government, issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling

Transportation

Airports

59 (2010)
country comparison to the world:80

Airports – with paved runways

total: 7
over 3,047 m:4
2,438 to 3,047 m:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 52
2,438 to 3,047 m:4
1,524 to 2,437 m:19
914 to 1,523 m:23
under 914 m:6 (2010)

Roadways

total: 22,100 km
country comparison to the world: 108 paved:2,608 km
unpaved:19,492 km (2000)

Merchant marine

total: 1
country comparison to the world: 160 by type:cargo 1
foreign-owned:1 (UAE 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals

Berbera, Kismaayo

Transportation – note

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean remain the region of greatest risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships accounting for 50% of all attacks in 2010

217 vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, were attacked or hijacked both at anchor and while underway

hijackings off the coast of Somalia accounted for 92% of all ship seizures in 2010

as of May 2011, 26 vessels and 522 hostages were being held for ransom by Somali pirates

the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators have reduced piracy incidents in that body of water

in response Somali-based pirates, using hijacked fishing trawlers as “mother ships” to extend their range, shifted operations as far south as the Mozambique Channel and eastward to the vicinity of the Maldives

Military

Military branches

National Security Force (NSF): Somali Army (2011)

Military service age and obligation

note: since 2005, the UN has listed the Transitional Federal Government and its allied militias as persistent violators in recruiting children (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,260,175
females age 16-49:2,159,293 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,331,894
females age 16-49:1,357,051 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 101,634
female:101,072 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007

“Somaliland” secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera to landlocked Ethiopia and have established commercial ties with other regional states

“Puntland” and “Somaliland” “governments” seek international support in their secessionist aspirations and overlapping border claims

the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia’s Ogaden and southern Somalia’s Oromo region

Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading south across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 1.1 million (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for resources) (2007)