Somalia

Introduction to Somalia

Somalia (Somali: Soomaaliya; Arabic: الصومال, As-Sumal), formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a coastal nation in East Africa. Continentally, it is entirely surrounded by Ethiopia and Djibouti on the north and mid-west, and Kenya on its south-west; with the Gulf of Aden on its east. It currently exists solely in a de jure capacity. Somalia has no recognized central government authority, no national currency, nor any other feature associated with an established nation state. De facto authority resides in the hands of the governments for the unrecognized entities of Somaliland, Puntland, and other rival warlords.

Somalia was one of the many countries devastated by the tsunami which struck the Indian Ocean coast following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, destroying entire villages and killing an estimated 300 people.

The country is located on the east coast of Africa on and north of the Equator between the Gulf of Aden on the north and Indian Ocean on the east. Together with Ethiopia and Djibouti it is often referred to as the Horn of Africa. It borders Djibouti on the northwest, Ethiopia on the west, and Kenya on southwest. Somalia comprises Italy's former Trust Territory of Somalia and the former British Protectorate of Somaliland (now seeking recognition as an independent state). The coastline extends 2,720 kilometres (1,700 mi) -- the longest coastline in Africa.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Somalia

The Canadian government and Canadian Content advises against all travel to this country. Canadians in this country should leave.

There is a high threat of terrorism in Somalia. Continued killings and kidnappings indicate that extremist groups are specifically targeting foreigners, in particular humanitarian workers, in all areas of the country. The transitional federal government, which had been based in Nairobi, Kenya, since late 2004, began relocating to its temporary seat in Jowhar, Somalia, 90 km from the capital of Mogadishu, in June 2005. Some members of the transitional federal government have relocated to Mogadishu, and the stability of the government remains uncertain. On February 9, 2005, a British BBC producer was killed in Mogadishu. As well, a bomb exploded in central Mogadishu on February 17, 2005. On June 27, 2005, a UN-chartered ship carrying food aid was hijacked about 400 km northeast of Mogadishu. On July 11, 2005, peace activist Abdulkadir Yahya Ali was assassinated in Mogadishu. Canadians should be aware that political transition in the country has heightened tensions and could result in further attacks, including the targeting of foreigners.

Although the majority of the transitional federal government has relocated from Nairobi to Somalia, it is not currently recognized as a central government and is unable to offer security or police protection.

Fighting continues among local militias and clans, and all forms of violent crime, including murder, kidnapping, looting, and banditry, are common. Protected humanitarian missions, including those under the auspices of the United Nations, can also be subject to attack. Security escorts are not a guarantee of safety.

Somaliland, a self-declared republic, is seeking independence in the northwest. Puntland, an administrative region in the northeast committed to a unified Somalia, is operating as a separate entity until an acceptable government is established in the south. Somaliland and Puntland operate autonomously.