Search Results - Somalia
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Somalia ( Somali Soomaaliya; Arabic ???????? a?-?umal), officially the Republic of Somalia ( Somali Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya, Arabic ??????? ???????? Jumhuriyyat a?-?umal) and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden with Yemen to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, and Ethiopia to the west. In antiquity, Somalia was an important center for commerce with the rest of the ancient world. Its sailors and merchants were the main suppliers of frankincense, myrrh and spices, items which were considered valuable luxuries by the Ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Mycenaeans and Babylonians with whom the Somali people traded.[6][7] According to most scholars, Somalia is also where the ancient Kingdom of Punt was situated.[8][9][10][11] The ancient Puntites were a nation of people that had close relations with Pharaonic Egypt during the times of Pharaoh Sahure and Queen Hatshepsut. The pyramidal structures, temples and ancient houses of dressed stone littered around Somalia are said to date from this period.[12] In the classical era, several ancient city-states such as Opone, Mosyllon and Malao that competed with the Sabaeans, Parthians and Axumites for the wealthy Indo-Greco-Roman trade also flourished in Somalia.[13] The birth of Islam on the opposite side of Somalia's Red Sea coast meant that Somali merchants, sailors and expatriates living in the Arabian Peninsula gradually came under the influence of the new religion through their converted Arab Muslim trading partners. With the migration of fleeing Muslim families from the Islamic world to Somalia in the early centuries of Islam and the peaceful conversion of the Somali population by Somali Muslim scholars in the following centuries, the ancient city-states eventually transformed into Islamic Mogadishu, Berbera, Zeila, Barawa and Merka, which were part of the Berberi civilization. The city of Mogadishu came to be known as the City of Islam,[14] and controlled the East African gold trade for several centuries.[15] In the Middle Ages, several powerful Somali empires dominated the regional trade including the Ajuuraan State, which excelled in hydraulic engineering and fortress building,[16] the Sultanate of Adal, whose general Ahmed Gurey was the first African commander in history to use cannon warfare on the continent during Adal's conquest of the Ethiopian Empire,[17] and the Gobroon Dynasty, whose military dominance forced governors of the Omani empire north of the city of Lamu to pay tribute to the Somali Sultan Ahmed Yusuf.[18] In the late 19th century after the Berlin conference had ended, European empires sailed with their armies to the Horn of Africa. The imperial clouds wavering over Somalia alarmed the Dervish leader Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, who gathered Somali soldiers from across the Horn of Africa and began one of the longest colonial resistance wars ever. Somalia was never formally colonized.[19][20][21] The Dervish State successfully repulsed the British empire four times and forced it to retreat to the coastal region.[22] As a result of its fame in the Middle East and Europe, the Dervish state was recognized as an ally by the Ottoman Empire and the German empire,[23][24] and remained throughout World War I the only independent Muslim power on the continent. After a quarter of a century holding the British at bay, the Dervishes were finally defeated in 1920 when Britain for the first time in Africa used aeroplanes when it bombed the Dervish capital of Taleex. As a result of this bombardment, former Dervish territories were turned into a protectorate of Britain. Italy similarly faced the same opposition from Somali Sultans and armies and did not acquire full control of parts of modern Somalia until the Fascist era in late 1927. This occupation lasted till 1941 and was replaced by a British military administration. Northern Somalia would remain a protectorate while southern Somalia became a trusteeship. The Union of the two regions in 1960 formed the Somali Democratic Republic.
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1. Al-Shabab Tightens Grip in Somalia
November 02, 2009
Al-Shabaab fighters on patrol in Mogadishu, 30 Oct 2009Somalia's al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants are tightening their grip on areas of the country they already control, imposing new rules and punishing people they say are violating their radical brand of Islamic law. Some observers believe until a more powerful group emerges to bring law and order to the country, ordinary Somalis are not likely to challenge al-Shabab's violence-driven agenda.In recent months, al-Shabab militants have carried out violent acts they describe as "just punishments" for Somalis who violated Sharia - Islamic la... (read more)
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2. Frankincense Oil, Buy Frankincense Oil, Pure Frankincense essential oil
November 02, 2009
Frankincense Oil Frankincense essential oil is steam distillated from the gum resins of Boswellia trees. It is also known as Olibanum and is native to the Red Sea region, growing throughout North East Africa and produced in Somalia, Ethiopia, South Arabia, China and India. The name Frankincense is derived from the French 'franc', meaning 'pure' and the Latin 'incensium', meaning 'to smoke'. It has been used extensively as an incense in religious purposes for centuries and aids in meditation and prayers. Pure Frankincense essential oil is thin and light yellow i... (read more)
Author: Ankur Tandon
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3. Somali Pirates Move Kidnapped British Couple to Land
October 31, 2009
Somali pirates say they have moved a kidnapped British couple onto land, to await negotiations for their rescue after demanding $7 million in ransom.The pirates spoke by phone to news agencies Saturday. Paul and Rachel Chandler were headed to Tanzania on a trip that started in the Seychelles when they sent a distress signal October 23 off the coast of Somalia. Their yacht, the Lynn Rival, later was found empty in waters off East Africa.Chandler has since spoken several times to reporters and said he and his wife are doing well. In recent months, France and the United States have us... (read more)
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4. Somalia Prime Minister Says Government Will Crackdown on Piracy
October 30, 2009
Somalian Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke (file photo)A British couple kidnapped by pirates off the coast of the Seychelles are reportedly being held about 320 kilometers north of the Somali capital Mogadishu. Speaking in London, Somalia's prime minister said his government will do everything within its means to end piracy off its coast. But analysts say much has to change in Somalia before piracy can be halted. Speaking in London, the prime minister of Somalia's transitional government, Omar Sharmarke, said his government "will do everything it can" to return the British cou... (read more)
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5. Somali General Confirms Kenya Recruiting Soldiers
October 23, 2009
A Somali general says 1,500 young men have been recruited from Kenya on his government's behalf and are receiving military training in Kenya. The statement contradicts earlier denials by both governments that such recruitment is taking place. A leading human rights group says the Kenyan government is not only aware of the recruitment drive, but it is facilitating it. The commander of Somali military forces, General Yusuf Dhumal, told reporters in Mogadishu late Thursday that Somalia and Kenya are cooperating in efforts to recruit potential soldiers for the Somali government from Kenya's Nor... (read more)
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6. Rise in Somali Piracy Contributes to Increase Worldwide
October 22, 2009
The rise in piracy off the Somali coast has resulted in more global piracy cases in 2009 than in all of 2008, according to a maritime watchdog group. Despite the rise in attacks, the number of successful hijackings has fallen. The International Maritime Bureau of the International Chamber of Commerce, reports 306 piracy incidents have been reported in the first three quarters of 2009 compared to 293 reported in all of 2008. The group attributes the jumps in total attacks from last year to Somali pirates. Attacks in the Gulf of Aden have nearly doubled, and attacks east of the Somali coast ha... (read more)
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7. Another Ship Hijacked Off Somali Coast
October 22, 2009
Suspected Somali pirates have hijacked a Panama-flagged ship off Africa's east coast.International maritime officials say the MV Al Khaliq was seized Thursday about 330 kilometers west of the Seychelles islands. Officials say the ship is carrying 26 crew members -- 24 Indians and two Burmese.A pirate skiff boat holding 7 pirates in the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia (File)The European Union's anti-piracy mission says crew members radioed for help before losing contact. An EU aircraft that flew over the scene reported seeing six pirates on board and the Al Khaliq towing two pirate skiffs.The ... (read more)
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8. Somalia Peacekeepers Accused of Firing Into Civilian Areas
October 22, 2009
Somalis stand by man injured during heavy fighting between Islamic insurgents and Somali government forces backed by African Union soldiers in Mogadishu, 22 Oct 2009At least 20 people were killed and as many as 70 wounded in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, during what witnesses say was one of the worst fighting in recent months. African Union peacekeepers are being increasingly blamed for causing deaths and injuries among civilians. Even the most battle-hardened residents describe the early morning fighting between African Union peacekeepers and al-Shabab militants as one of the most frightenin... (read more)
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9. UN Official Says World Failing Somali IDPs
October 21, 2009
A top human-rights official for the United Nations says the international community is failing in its duty to internally displaced persons in Somalia. More than 1.5 million people in Somalia are believed to be IDPs. Walter Kalin, the UN Sec. General's representative on internally displaced persons (File)The Representative of the U.N. Secretary General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Walter Kalin, is concluding a week-long visit to the region focused on the plight of Somali IDPs. The U.N. official issued a plea to the rest of the world to redouble its efforts to assist tho... (read more)
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10. Africa to Adopt Refugee/IDP Convention At Kampala Summit
October 20, 2009
An African summit is being held in the Ugandan capital, Kampala this week to pledge help for the continent's 17 million refugees and displaced people. The heads of major international humanitarian agencies are attending, but most African heads of state will be missing.Newly displaced families wait for registration outside an IDP camp outside Mogadishu, Somalia, 15 May 2009The two-day meeting that opens Thursday in Kampala is billed as the "African Union Special Summit on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons". Among those attending will be the United Nations High Commissioner fo... (read more)
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11. Kenya Muslims Decry Alleged Military Recruitment For Somalia Government
October 19, 2009
Muslim leaders in Kenya say they have evidence that Kenya's government is covertly recruiting youth from the isolated ethnic Somali communities in northeastern Kenya to fight for the Western-backed Mogadishu government in Somalia, a claim the Kenya government strongly denies. The group alleges more than 1,000 Kenyan youth have been affected. Abdullahi Abdi, chairman of the National Muslim Leaders Forum in Kenya, alleges that ethnic Somali youths are being recruited under the guise of a United Nations job, but that they later learn that they are being trained to fight for the transitional... (read more)
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12. Many in Central Somalia Need Food Aid Because of Drought
October 17, 2009
Somali children in the drought areaLike the rest of eastern Africa, central Somalia is in the grips of a debilitating drought. As a result, more than half of the population is in need of emergency food aid and one in five children is acutely malnourished. Large segments of the population have been displaced due to drought and ongoing conflict. Aid workers predict that food aid will dry up by mid-November, making an already desperate situation even worse. Five consecutive rainy seasons in the Mudug region with no rain.The few remaining animals scrounge for what little pasture exists. Now,... (read more)
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13. More US Aid Proposed for Climate Change
October 16, 2009
Rotting carcass of camel that recently died because ofSomalia's relentless droughtSome
U.S. senators are calling for bipartisan action in Congress on climate
change, ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in
Copenhagen in December. On Thursday, a Senate Foreign Relations
subcommittee took up the issue of how the United States and other
developed countries should help poorer countries that are most
vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Democratic Senator John Kerry
and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham have joined forces to push
Congress to pass a comprehensive clim... (read more)
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14. Ethiopia Again Struggles to Treat Malnutrition
October 15, 2009
A dry corn field in EthiopiaHunger is again stalking East Africa. The United Nations says 20 million people will need emergency food aid before the end of this year in six nations - Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda and Sudan. Poverty and drought are challenging the best efforts of the government and international aid agencies to save the lives of malnutrition victims.Driving through Ethiopia's countryside, it is hard to imagine a food shortage.But these lush fields mask what experts call a "green" drought, one of the worst in recent memory. Three years of poor rains have dealt a... (read more)
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15. Al-Shabab Militants Threaten Kenya for Recruiting Allegations
October 12, 2009
Somalia's al-Shabab extremists have renewed their threat to launch attacks on Kenya. This time, the threat follows allegations the Kenyan government is recruiting ethnic Somalis in northeastern Kenya to fight al-Shabab in Somalia. Ethnic Somalis in the Kenyan town of Garissa are telling reporters Kenyan authorities have recruited as many as 200 teen-aged boys there in recent weeks. The boys are allegedly being trained at a military camp in the coastal city of Mombasa.Garissa resident Haile Mohamed Yusuf says her 18-year-old son believed he was going to be trained to join the Kenyan po... (read more)
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16. Somali Rebels Amputate Hands, Feet of Robbery Suspects
October 10, 2009
Islamist militants in Somalia have carried out public amputations of three men accused of robbery in the southern port city of Kismayo.Two men had both a foot and hand cut off Friday. A third man had only a foot chopped off after an Islamic court realized he was already disabled. Hundreds of people watched the amputations of the three screaming young men. Al-Shabab has imposed its strict version of Islamic law, or Sharia, on much of the south and parts of Mogadishu. Al-Shabab aims to overthrow Somalia's government and to replace it with a system that will impose Sharia. The group has car... (read more)
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17. Abuses Against Children Persist Despite Rights Convention
October 08, 2009
Child rights advocates have kicked off more than a month of global
activities leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child. The Convention, which was adopted by the U.N.
General Assembly on November 20, 1989, is the most widely ratified
international human rights treaty. Every country in the world, except
the United States and Somalia, has ratified it. Before the
Convention on the Rights of the Child came into force in 1989, most of
the world thought children should be seen and not heard. Now, 20 years
later, some of their voices are b... (read more)
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18. Relief Groups Hope US Aid Will Again Reach Somalis
October 07, 2009
Newly arrived Somali refugees wait to register at Hagadera camp in Dadaab (file photo)Aid organizations say they are hopeful the United States will soon release at least $50-million in relief resources for Somalia that have been held back this year because of U.S. anti-terrorism laws. As our correspondent explains in this report from central Somalia, U.N. agencies and other humanitarian groups are concerned that funding shortfalls this year could jeopardize the lives of more than three million Somalis. Deaths of livestock force people to seek foreign food aidOn the first day of each mont... (read more)
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19. French Navy Repels Somali Pirate Attack
October 07, 2009
France says its navy has captured five Somali pirates who attacked a refueling ship.Military spokesman Christophe Prazuck says pirates attacked the La Somme off the Somali coast early Wednesday. They say crew members repelled the attack and then chased the pirates, seizing one boat and taking five pirates into custody.France says no one was injured in the incident.Somali pirates have made tens of millions of dollars over the past two years hijacking ships and holding them for ransom.The
number of hijackings has dropped in recent months, as foreign navies
patrol the coast and provide prot... (read more)
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20. UN: Drought Forcing New Cycle of Human Suffering in Somalia
October 06, 2009
Watch slideshow of Alisha Ryu's pictures
The United Nations is warning that years of drought and conflict are pushing many regions of Somalia toward a new cycle of hunger, devastation, and human suffering. Worse than everRotting carcass of camel that recently died because ofSomalia's relentless droughtThe vast reddish desert that covers much of Somalia's central Mudug region has always been a source of wealth, as well as calamity, for thousands of pastoral families.In good times, the desert provides abundant food for goats and camels, which in turn provide the families with surplus milk and ... (read more)
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21. Rights Groups Decry Ban on VOA in Somali Region
October 05, 2009
Media watchdog groups are condemning a ban placed on the Voice of America's Somali news service by the government of the semi-autonomous Puntland region in northeast Somalia. Three reporters connected to the VOA Somali service were also ordered to cease their journalist activities.The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, the Mogadishu-based National Union of Somali Journalists, and the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders are all decrying the unexpected move to ban the VOA broadcasts in Puntland. In a directive issued Thursday by Puntland's Ministry of Security, local radio stati... (read more)
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22. Rights Group Condemns Puntland's Ban on VOA Reporting
October 03, 2009
A U.S.-based media rights group has condemned the leadership of Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland for banning all reporting by journalists who work for VOA.The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Puntland's leaders to immediately allow the U.S.-funded media organization to resume its news coverage without harassment.CPJ's Africa program coordinator Tom Rhodes called the ban "a serious affront to press freedom in the region".The committee said Puntland authorities suspended VOA service on October 1 and accused the news organization of producing "negative" reports that instigat... (read more)
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23. Somali Gunmen Release 3 Aid Workers
October 03, 2009
Officials in Kenya say three foreign aid workers kidnapped by Somali gunmen in July in northern Kenya have been released. Authorities say the three were released Saturday and are expected to fly to Nairobi.After their abduction by gunmen in the Kenyan border town of Mandera, the three were taken into Somalia. It
is not clear whether a ransom was paid for the release of the
humanitarian aid workers. Their nationalities are not immediately
known.Somalia is chaotic after 18 years of internal strife, and
foreigners are frequent kidnap targets. Kidnap victims usually are
released unharmed, ... (read more)
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24. Civilian Casualties Mount in Somalia
October 02, 2009
The UN refugee agency reports the number of civilian casualties is rising because of the latest upsurge in fighting in the troubled South Central region of Somalia. The UNHCR says the renewed fighting is sparking a new wave of displacement.Local humanitarian organizations in Somalia say 145 people have been killed and another 285 injured in heavy clashes in Kismayo, Beled Weyne and the capital, Mogadishu just in September.The UN refugee agency reports former friends have become enemies. For the first time, it says clashes have erupted between al-Shabab and Hisb-ul-Islam. Until this week, it... (read more)
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25. Al-Qaida Linked Group Gains Control of Somali Port City
October 02, 2009
Kismayo, SomaliaAl-Shabab militants in Somalia have claimed control of the country's southern port town of Kismayo, one day after deadly fighting with a rival Islamist group. But the city remains tense amid reports that factions of the rival group, Hizbul Islam, are preparing to launch a counter offensive. Al-Shabab militants patrolled Kismayo town in vehicles Friday, assuring residents that the fighting between al-Shabab and militiamen loyal to the Ras Kamboni Brigade and Anole factions of Hizbul Islam is over. According to residents, the Hizbul Islam factions withdrew from the... (read more)
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