War-torn Somalia on Africa’s northwest coast faces a long road to recovery. Somalia has not had a functioning central government since 1991, when the civil war broke out. Several groups, or clans, have been battling to take control of the country. The conflicts are reinforcing tensions between different groups within the population.
The constant fighting and the lack of central leadership have harmed the country in several ways:
- The level of education is low; one in five is illiterate
- Poverty is widespread; 70 per cent cannot meet their daily food requirements
- Infant mortality is among the highest in the world; many children die before the age of five
- Life expectancy is 47 years.
In late 2004, a peace settlement offered a temporary solution, under which all the major warring clans received some power. A new peace agreement was signed in 2008. A transitional government was appointed with a mandate to govern until 2009. However, internal tensions have eroded the attempted peace and the country shortly returned to intractable fighting, this time between Islamists and the transitional government.
A large section of Somalia’s eight million inhabitants have been displaced on many occasions, both in the country and outside its borders. In 2007, the number of internally displaced people was calculated to be 400,000; almost as many were displaced in bordering countries.
Natural disasters causing starvation
The situation is made worse due to natural disasters in the form of droughts and floods. Starvation and disease represent particular threats to the population.
But there is some hope. The UN initiated a national process of reconciliation in June 2008. An 11-point peace agreement was signed by two of the warring factions, the TFG and the ARS, with the aim of ending the fighting. The parties have adhered to the points of the agreement in the initial period following its signing. Some areas have improved. The absence of an overall controlling body has meant that the private sector has developed at a fast rate. This particularly applies to small-scale manufacturing, services that were previously monopolized or dominated by the public sector. There have also been private investments in commercial companies and in hotels, transport and service, especially from Somalis living abroad.
Sida’s work in Somalia covers four points:
- Humanitarian support through the UN and non-governmental organizations
- Support for contributions to improve social conditions
- Support for peace and reconciliation
- Support through the EU’s common development aid budget.
