Somali Republic

Population estimated at 9.5million

Population density (people per square mile) 36

Population doubling rate 25 years

GDP per capita US$ 284 (HDR Estimate)

Population doubling time in years:

USA 79. Canada 81. Germany declining. UK 248. Russia declining. China 110. Philippines 41.

Population density (people per square mile)

USA 85. Canada 9. Germany 593. UK 660. Russia 21. China 368. Philippines 795.

GDP per capita in US$:

RECENT HISTORY

Somalia (Somaliland) suffered from historical warring colonial conflicts between Britain, France, Italy, Egypt and Ethiopia. Independence from Britain and Italy was gained in 1960.

Following independence there was presidential assassination and a military coup which declared a socialist policy of near total nationalisation. Widespread drought related starvation occurred in 1974/5.

In the mid to late 70’s war between Somalia and Ethiopia erupted causing large scale losses on both sides. By 1981 an estimated two million Somalis were homeless.

A new government was established along tribal lines, excluding members of other tribes which led to tribal conflict. The result was tribally based insurgency and civil war. Unsuccessful UN peacekeeping efforts ended in 1995 and Somalia descended in to chaos and continued tribal fighting.

In June 2006 the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), a grouping of Sharia courts backed by Islamist militias, claimed control of Mogadishu. In the following months, ICU forces won control over most of the southern half of Somalia and appeared to have become the most powerful military force in the country.

Neighbouring Ethiopia sent an estimated 20,000 troops into Somalia in December 2006. Ethiopian officials claimed the ICU was a terrorist group backed by Eritrea. Somalia became a refuge for Al Qaeda and provided terrorist training, this resulted in US air strikes against terrorist targets.

Attempts to create a new united government have been complicated by the return of tribal warlords.

EDUCATION

Prior to the country's civil war and the resulting anarchy, the state educational system was somewhat successful despite considerable shortcomings. Enrolment in primary and secondary schools had multiplied, and the proportion of girls attending school also had risen—at least in towns. However, a lack of buildings, furniture, equipment, teaching materials, and teachers, together with the frequent unwillingness of rural people to allow children to attend school instead of working, all prevented a rapid improvement of schooling in rural areas.

After the government was overthrown in 1991, Somalia's state education system was in shambles. Private schools have managed to function since then, as have schools in the Republic of Somaliland and Puntland. Some Islamic schools are also operational, but traditionally these Qur’anic schools are responsible for the religious education of children according to Islamic law and do not provide secular education.

The main higher education institution had been Somali National University (1969) in Mogadishu, but the campus was destroyed during the civil war. The private Mogadishu University was established in 1997. There are also agricultural secondary schools, a vocational training centre, a teacher-training centre, and an agricultural college in Mogadishu, as well as a technical college in Burgo. Most of these institutions were unable to consistently maintain operations because of warfare. Amoud University (1997) in Borama and the University of Hargeisa (2000) are private universities in the Republic of Somaliland. About one-fifth of Somalis aged 15 and older are literate.

In 1996 primary schools enrolled only 8 percent of primary school-aged children, and secondary schools enrolled a mere 5 percent of secondary school-aged children.

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