Politics
“Therefore, Somalia remains abandoned, lawless and too dangerous for most foreigners to operate in” The political situation in Somalia seems to remain in a state of flux, and because of tribal ties joins nationals, as well as increasing the factions that divide is rooted in the Siad Barre regime, a fledgling government has been unable to develop organically. Due to this lack of functioning ( “organic”) the central government has persisted since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in late eighties / early nineties, and most likely is due to the effects of chaos that was the 1989 calendar -1992 War, as well as Barre divide and rule tactics that “fuelled interclan deep animosity and distrust.”
The internationally recognized Transitional Federal Government, only controls parts of southern Somalia from its base in the town of Baidoa, and is not recognized by most Somalis. On October 14, 2004, the Transitional Federal Parliament of Somalia Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed elected, formerly president of Puntland, to be president of Somalia. Due to the situation in Mogadishu, the election was conducted in a sports centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Yusuf was elected with 189 of 275 votes from members of parliament.
Many other small political organizations exist, some based on clan, others seeking a free Somalia clan-based politics. Many of them have entered into force since the civil war. The political situation remains unstable, hence, for example, the September 18, 2006, Abdullah Yusuf barely survived a suicide attack on his convoy in Baidoa, although other twelve people were killed.
In the northwest, is the breakaway region of Somaliland, with its capital in Hargeisa which declared its independence in 1991. This Isaaq dominated by governing zone is not recognized by major international organization or country, although it has remained more stable, and certainly more peaceful than the rest of Somalia, Puntland despite neighbours.
Puntland in the northeast remains autonomous, but supports the Transitional Government and, unlike Somaliland, is still considered a part of the Republic of Somalia.
Sanaag region and some parts of the Bari region there recently declared state of Maakhir which is a self-proclaimed autonomous state within Somalia by a disputed area of Somaliland and Puntland. Declared to July 1, 2007, remains unrecognized by the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
Maakhir is inhabited mainly by the clan Warsangali, a member of the Harti confederation of clans (along with Dhulbahante and Majeerteen) and a clan of the Darod clan.
In the southwestern interior and Jubaland southwestern Somalia have recognized both the Transitional Federal Government and local leaders are part of the government.
The southern half of the country, with the bulk of the population, from November 2007, is unstable, following the Civil War of 2006 between the Transitional Government and the Islamic Courts Union.
Westerners and those working for Western organizations remain targets of violence. Two aid workers, one British and one from Kenya, were abducted in Puntland on May 8, 2007 and a Western nurse and his bodyguard were shot dead in Mogadishu on September 17, 2006.
The inhabitants of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn regions of northern Somalia have announced the formation of a new political party – the north of Somalia Union Movement (NSUM) based Somali organization whose members and supporters hail of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn in regions Northern regions of Somalia (former British Somaliland) and whose clan in these regions do not identify with Somaliland’s secession. NSUM favours the promotion of peace and unity among all peoples of Somalia.
