Somalia

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Somalia Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_Somalia. ... Somalia has no strong, united national government at present. ...

President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Prime Minister of Somalia Ali Mohammed Ghedi Parliament Political parties Supreme Islamic Courts Council Elections Regions Districts Foreign relations Human Rights See also: Politics of Somaliland This page contains a list of the Presidents of Somalia. ... Transitional President of Somalia Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Abdullahi Yusuf Yey (Somali: Cabdulaahi Yuusuf Axmed) was born December 15, 1934 in the town of Galkacyo, Mudug Region. ... List of the Heads of Government of Somalia (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office) Political Affiliations SNL - Somali National League SRSP - Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party SYL - Somali Youth League USC - United Somali Congress Mil - Military n-p - Non-partisan See also History of Somalia Presidents of Somalia... Ali Mohammed Ghedi,a veterinary surgeon and an African Union official, Mr. ... The Transitional Federal Parliament is the parliament of Somalia. ... Political parties in Somalia lists political parties in Somalia. ... Elections in Somalia gives information on election and election results in Somalia. ... The regions (gobolka) of Somalia are (capitals in parentheses): Awdal (*) (Baki) Bakool (Oddur) Banaadir (Mogadishu) Bari (Bender Cassim) Bay (Baidoa) Galguduud (Dusa Mareb) Gedo (Garbahaarey) Hiraan (Beledweyne) Jubbada Dhexe (Buaale) Jubbada Hoose (Kismaayo) Mudug (Galcaio) Nugaal (Garoowe) Sanaag (*) (Erigavo) Saaxil (*) (Berbera) Shabeellaha Dhexe (Giohar) Shabeellaha Hoose (Merca) Sool (*) (Laascaanood... Districts of Somalia The Regions of Somalia are divided into 18 districts. ... Somalias only major international dispute is with Ethiopia over the Ogaden. ... Although a transitional government was established in 2000 at the Djibouti Conference, Somalia has not had a central government since President Mohamed Siad Barre fled the country in 1991. ... The Politics of Somaliland take place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, with the President as head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ...

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The flag of the Supreme Islamic Courts Council

The Supreme Islamic Courts Council (or Conservative Council of Islamic Courts), as the Islamist militia called itself by July 2006, was called the Islamic Courts Union before 24 June 2006 (ICU, Somali: Midowga Maxkamadaha Islaamiga, Arabic: اتحاد المحاكم الإسلامية Ittihād al-mahākim al-islāmiyya) (which is also known as the Joint Islamic Courts), is a group of Islamic leaders banded together in a self-appointed court system with Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as overall leader. Currently they are in control of Mogadishu – the de facto capital of Somalia, Jowhar – an airport town 50 miles to the north and capital of Shabelle Dhexa, Kismayo – an important port on the south coast and capital of Jubba Hoose, Beletweyne – the capital of Hiiraan region, Dusa Mareb – capital of Galgadud, Hobyo – an important commercial port, and many other smaller towns and cities throughout central Somalia. Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Image File history File links Somalia_Islamic_Courts_Flag. ... Image File history File links Somalia_Islamic_Courts_Flag. ... It has been suggested that Islamic fundamentalism be merged into this article or section. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... The Arabic language (Arabic: ‎ translit: ), or simply Arabic (Arabic: ‎ translit: ), is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ... For other uses, including people named Islam, see Islam (disambiguation). ... Shaikh, also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh (Arabic: شيخ), is a word in the Arabic language meaning elder of a tribe, lord, revered old man, or Islamic scholar. ... Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (born July 25, 1964) is the leader of the Islamic Court Union (ICU), which currently controls Somalias capital of Mogadishu. ... Mogadishus location in Somalia Mogadishu (Somali: Muqdisho, popularly Xamar; Arabic: ‎ ; Italian: ), is the largest city in Somalia, and its nominal capital. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... Jauhar (sometimes written jowhar) was originally the voluntary death on a funeral pyre of the queen or the royal women of defeated Rajput cities or forts in order to avoid capture. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Hiiraan (Somali: Hiiraan; Arabic: ‎ ) is an administrative region (gobolka) in central Somalia. ... Dhuusamarreeb is a capital town of Galguduud, Somalia. ... Galguduud (Somali: Galguduud; Arabic: ‎ ) is an administrative region (gobolka) in central Somalia. ... Hobyo is an ancient harbor city in the Mudugh region of Somalia. ...

After the militia changed its name, Hassan Dahir Aweys became its overall leader, though Sharif Ahmed remained in charge of the executive council. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, age 71[1], is the head of the 90-member shura council of the Islamic Courts Union of Somalia. ... Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (born July 25, 1964) is the leader of the Islamic Court Union (ICU), which currently controls Somalias capital of Mogadishu. ...

History

Main article: Rise of the Islamic Courts in Somalia

After the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, a system of sharia-based Islamic courts became the main judicial system, funded by fees paid by litigants. Over time the courts began to offer other services such as education and health care. The courts also acted as local police forces, being paid by local businesses to reduce crime. The ICU took on responsibility for halting robberies and drug-dealing, as well as stopping the showing of what it claims to be pornographic films in local movie houses. Somalia is almost entirely Muslim, and these institutions had wide public support. Supporters of the Islamic courts and other institutions united to form the ICU, an armed militia. In 1999 the group began to assert its authority. In April of that year they took control of the main market in Mogadishu and, in July, captured the road from Mogadishu to Afgoi.^[1] // Origins The flag of the Supreme Islamic Courts Council The rise of the Islamic Courts in Somalia began in the mid 1990s with the alliance of a group of moslem legal scholars and businesspeople led by Hassan Aweys (former leader of the AIAI) and Sharif Ahmed, with two other... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sharia (Arabic: ‎ translit: ) refers to the body of Islamic law. ... This article is about law in society. ... Health care or healthcare is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical, nursing, and allied health professions [1]. The organised provision of such services may constitute a healthcare system. ... Retail selling Street selling is the bottom of the chain and can be accomplished through purchasing from prostitutes, through cloaked retail stores or refuse houses for users in the act located in red-light districts which often also deal in paraphernalia, dealers marketing merriment at night clubs and other events... Pornographic movies Pornography (from Greek πόρνη (porni) prostitute and γραφή (grafi) writing) (more informally referred to as porn or porno) is the representation of the human body or sexual activity with the goal of sexual arousal. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

However, as the courts began to assert themselves as the dispensers of justice they came into conflict with the secular warlords who controlled most of the city. In reaction to the growing power of the ICU, a group of Mogadishu warlords formed the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT). This was a major change, as these warlords had been fighting each other for many years. By the beginning of 2006, these two groups had repeatedly clashed, and in May 2006 it escalated into street fighting in the capital, claiming the lives of more than 300 people. On 5 June 2006, the ICU claimed that they were now in control of Mogadishu.^[2] This article concerns secularity, that is, being secular, in various senses. ... Warlord is a term that refers to one who has de facto military control of a subnational area, due to armed forces which are personally obedient to — somewhat circularly — that warlord. ... The Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) is a Somali alliance made by powerfull warlords and businesspeople, while some of them were ministers in the transitional federal government of Somalia. ... Combatants Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism Militia loyal to the Islamic Court Union Commanders Mohamed Qanyare, Muse Sudi, Nuur Daqle Sheikh Sharif Ahmed Strength unknown unknown Casualties unknown unknown The Second Battle of Mogadishu was a battle fought for control of Mogadishu, the capital city of... June 5 is the 156th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (157th in leap years), with 209 days remaining. ...

While, in the United States, the Bush administration neither confirmed nor denied support, American officials have anonymously confirmed that the U.S. government was funding the ARPCT, due to concerns that the ICU is linked to al-Qaeda and is sheltering three al-Qaeda leaders involved in past terror attacks, including the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. ^[3] There are fears in the U.S. that the ICU's victory may complicate the "War on Terrorism". George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American businessman and politician, was elected in 2000 as the 43rd President of the United States of America, re-elected in 2004, and is currently serving his second term in that office. ... The Bush administration includes President George W. Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney, Bushs Cabinet, and other select officials and advisors. ... Al-Qaeda (Arabic: القاعدة, the foundation or the base) is the name given to a worldwide network of militant Islamist organizations under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. ... Combatants United States United Kingdom Pakistan Canada Israel South Korea Australia Italy Denmark Germany Philippines Jordan Saudi Arabia New Iraqi Army NATO and others some of these forces may be allies Taliban Baathist Iraq Baath Loyalists Hezbollah al-Qaeda Waziristan tribesmen Iraqi insurgency Jemaah Islamiyah, Abu Sayyaf some...

On 6 June 2006 the ICU further claimed it was in control of all the lands up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) inland from Mogadishu. The warlords were reported to have either been captured or to have fled the city, abandoning most of their weapons, with the majority fleeing to Jowhar, which was taken by the ICU militia on 14 June.^[4] The ICU now has control of much of the weaponry in the country which makes a resurgence by the warlords difficult without outside support. The ICU also controls significant territory outside the capital, which includes the important town of Balad. In mid-August, ICU militiamen swept into the port town of Hobyo 500 kilometers north of Mogadishu, meeting no opposition.^[5] The ICU organized a clean-up campaign for the streets of Mogadishu on 20 July. This was the first time litter and rubbish had been collected in the entire city since it collapsed into anarchy over a decade previously.^[6] June 6 is the 157th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (158th in leap years), with 208 days remaining. ... Jauhar (sometimes written jowhar) was originally the voluntary death on a funeral pyre of the queen or the royal women of defeated Rajput cities or forts in order to avoid capture. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... Balad is a town in the Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. ... Hobyo is an ancient harbor city in the Mudugh region of Somalia. ... July 20 is the 201st day (202nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 164 days remaining. ...

The only other major power in central Somalia is the Somali Transitional Government. As a result of the collapse of the warlords' power, the four warlord representatives in the transitional government were stripped of their cabinet posts. The transitional government is based in Baidoa, 250 kilometers from Mogadishu. After the ICU victory in Mogadishu, the transitional government voted to request foreign peacekeepers from the African Union. The African Union supports the transitional government, and would serve to defend it against the forces of the ICU. The ICU has rejected the need for peacekeepers, arguing Somalia needs aid, not more fighters. The Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi states that he would like to meet with the ICU leaders. ^[7] This has resulted in the Treaty of Khartoum of 5 September 2006, in which it was agreed that the ICU and the Transitional Government would be merged; however, the ICU insisted on the precondition that Ethiopian troops would have to leave the country beforehand. The Transitional Federal Parliament is an interim parliament of Somalia formed in neighbouring Kenya in 2004. ... Baidoa (Somali: Baydhabo) is a city in south-central Somalia. ... Anthem: Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together Capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Membership 53 member states Official languages The languages of Africa, as well as Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Swahili Formation - As Organisation of African Unity - As AU - May 25, 1963 - July 9, 2002 Chairman of the African Union... A peacekeeper can be a person involved in peacekeeping. ... Ali Mohammed Ghedi,a veterinary surgeon and an African Union official, Mr. ... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The two other major power centres in the country are the governments of Puntland and Somaliland, both of which assert their autonomy or, in the case of Somaliland, independence. Motto: None Anthem: Puntland Somalian National Anthem Capital Garowe Largest city Bosaso Official language(s) Somali and Arabic Government  - President Mohamud Muse Hersi  - Vice-President Hasan Dahir Independence From Somalia   - Declared 1998   - Recognition none  Area    - Total ~250,000 km² (not ranked)   (n/a sq mi)   - Water (%) Negl. ... Motto: Justice, Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Success for All Anthem: dum ala khair, dum ala khair, Samo ku waar Samo ku waar Saamo ku waar Capital Hargeisa Largest city Hargeisa Official language(s) Somali, English, Arabic Government Republic  - President Dahir Riyale Kahin Independence From Somalia   - Declared May 18, 1991   - Recognition...

Structure and composition

Chairman Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is seen as a moderate and he has repeatedly declared that the objective of the ICU is the restoration of order after 15 years of violence. However, of the eleven courts composing the Union, two have reputations as radical. One is led by Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, who is on the U.S. list of terrorism suspects as the former head of the al-Itihaad al-Islamiya group, which has been linked to al-Qaeda. Western diplomats are also concerned by a second leader, Adan Hashi Ayro, who was trained in Afghanistan and whose militia has been implicated in the deaths of five foreign aid workers and a BBC producer. All but one of the Courts is dominated by the Hawiye clan.^[8] Suspects from the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings are believed to be hiding in Somalia, and to be aided by the ICU.^{[citation needed]} There have also been reports of foreign mujahideen fighting alongside the ICU. It is widely believed that the U.S. has provided funding for the secular warlord alliance due to these fears. However, Somalia has little history of radical Islam and the ICU has not embraced the most extreme forms of Islamic law, such as amputation of thieves' hands.^[1] Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (Arabic: Unity of Islam or AIAI) was an Islamist militant group in Somalia. ... Al-Qaeda (Arabic: القاعدة, the foundation or the base) is the name given to a worldwide network of militant Islamist organizations under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. ... The British Broadcasting Corporation, invariably known as the BBC (and also informally known as the Beeb or Auntie) is the largest public broadcasting corporation in the world. ... The Hawiye (or Hawiya) is a Somali clan, comprising about 25% of the Somali population. ... Aftermath at the Nairobi embassy. ... Mujahideen (Arabic: , also transliterated as mujāhidÄ«n, mujahideen, mujahedin, mujahidin, mujaheddin, etc. ... Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. ...

Military commanders

Shaykh Hasan Hersi 'Turki' is the liberator of Kismayo. He is leader of the Shabab group (a youth islamic organisation). He has admitted at rallies in Kismayo on september 27, 2006 that "brothers in Islam" helped the ICU drive the former Jubba Valley Alliance (JVA) out of Kismayu. These traveling foreign Islamists were featured in a fundraising video that has circulated at least since April 2006, as the ICU moved to control Mogadishu. He liberated Kismayo peacefully from local warlord Barre Hirale who fled to Bardhere.

Shaykh Yusuf Siad 'Inda-Addeh' serves as deputy and financier for Hasan Dahir Aweys. He is the chief security of Islamic Courts. He is controversial for the fact that he was a former warlord who occupied Lower Shabeele in 2003. He later allied himself with the Islamic courts. Cynics wondered why the UIC advanced to central and south Somalia regions, including the Kismayo area, before disarming warlord Inda-Addeh and taking control of Lower Shabelle region. However, the Lower Shabelle was officially handed over to the ICU in october 2006 and is no longer administered by Inda-Addeh.^[9]

Shaykh Mukhtar Robow, deputy chief security of the Islamic Courts is the liberator of Jowhar. He liberated Jowhar in june 2006 peacefully,without a single shot, from local warlord Mohamed Dheere. He is also credited with being instrumental in the victory of the Second Battle of Mogadishu against the ARPCT (American backed warlords). Combatants Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism Militia loyal to the Islamic Court Union Commanders Mohamed Qanyare, Muse Sudi, Nuur Daqle Sheikh Sharif Ahmed Strength unknown unknown Casualties unknown unknown The Second Battle of Mogadishu was a battle fought for control of Mogadishu, the capital city of...

Notes and references

The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) is an international newspaper published daily, Monday through Friday. ... Insert non-formatted text here July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The New York Times is a newspaper published in New York City by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. ... June 5 is the 156th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (157th in leap years), with 209 days remaining. ... The current BBC News logo BBC News and Current Affairs is a major arm of the BBC responsible for the corporations newsgathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ...

External links

• Somali deaths in fierce clashes, BBC News, 24 March 2006
• Death toll climbs as Mogadishu fighting intensifies, AFP, 9 May .2006
• Despite ceasefire call, fighting continues in Mogadishu, Christian Science Monitor, 10 May 2006
• From Clan Fighting to Ideological Battleground, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, 11 May 2006
• Illegal Arms Continue to Fuel Factional Fighting, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, 12 May 2006
• Bloody street battles in Somalia, CNN, 13 May 2006
• Warring Somali ministers warned, BBC News, 13 May 2006
• Islamic Courts Accept Ceasefire, Shabelle News Network, 15 May 2006
• Somali PM Plans to Fire Two of His Cabinet, Shabelle News Network, 15 May 2006
• Security Council Calls for Ceasefire And End to Violence in Capital, UN News Service, 16 May 2006
• U.S. Secretly Backing Warlords in Somalia, Washington Post, 17 May 2006
• Renewed Fighting Claims 11 in Mogadishu, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, 25 May 2006
• Islamic Force, Warlords Clash in Somalia, Associated Press, 27 May 2006
• Violence Flares in Somalia (VIDEO), ogrish.com, updated 28 May 2006
• Large Rally Against United States Staged in Mogadishu, Shabelle Media Network, 2 June 2006
• New power emerges from the south, Somalinet.com, 4 June 2006
• Islamists seize key Somali town, BBC News, 4 June 2006
• Islamists claim control of Mogadishu, Al Jazeera News, 5 June 2006