Somalia
Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, the Gulf of Aden to the north, Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the west, and Kenya to the southwest. At 3,333 kilometres it has the longest coastline in mainland Africa
The capital and largest city is Mogadishu, which is situated along the coast and serves as the country’s political and economic hub.
Somalia has a rich history, with influences from Arab, Persian, and Italian cultures, among others. The Somali people are predominantly Muslim, and their culture is deeply tied to nomadic pastoralism, trade, and maritime activities. The country is known for its poetry, music, and vibrant oral traditions.
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Conflict & Stability
Since the early 1990s, Somalia has faced significant challenges, including civil war, political instability, and humanitarian crises.
After the collapse of Siad Barre’s regime in 1991, Somalia has faced civil war, warlordism, and terrorism , notably by Al-Shabaab , an Islamist militant group.
This has led to a fragmented political landscape with various regions operating with varying degrees of autonomy, such as Puntland and Somaliland, which declared independence but has not been internationally recognized.
Piracy was a major issue in the 2000s–2010s though significantly reduced now.
Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts to rebuild and stabilize the country, with some progress in governance, security, and development.
Economy
Somalia is also rich in natural resources, including livestock, fish, and potential oil reserves, which could play a crucial role in its economic future. It has one of the world’s largest population of camels .Livestock exports to the Arab Gulf States are a major revenue
Remittances from the Somali diaspora are crucial for the economy. Somalia has one of Africa’s most advanced mobile money systems. Poverty, corruption, lack of infrastructure, and reliance on foreign aid are huge challenges
Demographics & Culture
The population was 17 million in 2023 and overwhelmingly ethnic Somali . Somali is the language but Arabic has a religious and administrative use. Sunni Islam is the major religion and Sharia law influences the legal system.. A clan system plays a major role in politics, conflict, and social structure.
History
Somalia was an integral part of ancient trade networks.In the colonial era it was divided between Britain (Somaliland), Italy (Italian Somalia), and France (Djibouti)
After Independence in 1960 it allied with the Soviet Union , and then the US under the Said Barre regime . The overthrow of Barre led to decades of chaos, warlord rule, and famine.
