Monthly Archives: February 2010
The Importance of Lawyers in Somalia and Abroad
Like in all societies, a lawyer plays an essential role in providing Somalians with advice and council. In the Somalian legal system, called Xeer, a lawyer is referred to as garxajiyaal and assists Somalians who have to face a jury or provide compensation for a crime that they have committed. The Somali Law Council was formed on February 26, 2005 and membership to the council is open to all Somali lawyers around the globe. It is the aim of the council to organize Somali lawyers to work with other Somali professionals in order to rebuild and reconstruct Somalia. It is the goal of each lawyer who is a member of the council to advertise, protect and restore human rights and civil liberties to Somalians. These lawyers seek to create an index of useful and effective laws that will be available for use by the Somalian people. Each lawyer will be responsible for assisting in collecting existing Somali customary laws, as well as Sharia laws in order to create this index. The lawyers who are members of the Somali Law Council seek to provide advice and support to Somali individuals, as well as the Somali government, institution and organizations throughout the … Continue reading
The Conditions of Hospitals in Mogadishu
Somalia is a country that is in a state of continuous warfare. Violence and brutality has plagued the country since the downfall of the central government in 1991. Since then competing factions fight amongst each other for power and control. Shootings and bombings occur on a daily basis in the middle of popular cities. Often, innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire between opposing clans. Many of the injured will flee to hospitals in order to receive medical attention. Despite the chaos in Somalia and the lack of medical care available to Somalians, there are a few functioning hospitals, especially in the countries capital city, Mogadishu. Each hospital that is in operation in Mogadishu faces numerous problems and set backs on a daily basis. Keysaney Hospital is a hospital that is located in Northern Mogadishu. It has been functioning in order to provide medical assistance to war wounded patients since 1992. The hospital contains 65 hospital beds, and since 1992 it has been responsible for treating over 60,000 people injured by gunshot wounds. Everyday, the hospital treats more then ten people who have been injured by gun shots or by explosives, and at least three more people who have been … Continue reading
Doctors Without Borders in Somalia
Since 1991, Somalia has been a war torn country in which opposing clans take part in armed warfare on a continual basis. Violence and death is a reality that the Somalian people are forced to live with. Shootings and bombings are an everyday occurrence in Somalia, especially around the capital city of Mogadishu. However, a recent census showed that only about 9% of the population had access to medical treatment, whereas 91% of the population did not have access to a doctor. In a country where people are the victims of violence everyday, it is essential that injured individuals have the ability to see a doctor. Many Somalians are afraid to venture outside of their homes and they will not seek the help of a doctor, even in emergency situations. In Somalia the majority of medical assistance is provided by foreign doctors and organizations, as there are few educated Somalian doctors in the country today. One organization that is a leader in Somalian relief efforts is Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders has been operating in Somalia since the collapse of the government and the outbreak of the civil war in 1991. They provide access to medical care and assistance … Continue reading
The Xeer Legal System
Since the collapse of the central government in 1991, Somalia has widely been recognized a chaotic country devoid of laws and regulations. Somalia is run by about 100 competing clans and to date there has been no plan of instating a central government or building a formal state. Due to the strong influence of Islam, Sharia law has had a great deal of impact on Somalian culture. Sharia law refers to the way that a Muslim should act and the way that they should live. Most of the Somalian population is Muslim, therefore you can find many Islamic laws being upheld in Somalia. For example, many women choose to cover their body and their head while they are in public. They wear a hijab, which only allows their face and hands to be seen. Also, pork is left out of Somalian dishes and the diet of most Somalian people. Islamic law prohibits Somalians from taking part in gambling and they do not drink alcohol. Sharia laws deal with business, economics, politics, family and sexuality, as well as other areas of life. Although Sharia law plays an important role in Somalian culture, the people of Somalia place a greater deal of … Continue reading
Somalian Physicians Graduate from Medical School
Somalia is a country that is notorious for violence and that has been in the midst of a civil war since 1991. Armed combat and shootings are a daily occurrence in Somalia, especially in and around the capital city of Mogadishu. It is very common for ordinary citizens get stuck in the crossfire between waring clans. The access to medical care is very poor throughout Somalia and many people never see a physician. Physicians are essential in a country that is devastated by ferocity and brutality. The 300,000 Somalians that are suffering from starvation and malnutrition are in need of the medical attention of a physician. Many of these displaced individuals attempt to flee to neighboring countries for help, but they are denied access and not offered help. Many Somalians die near these borders or in makeshift camps. They do not have access to the necessary resources that they need in order to survive, such as water. People who suffer fatal injuries do to the violence of the civil war do not receive the medical attention that they need. This is often because there are no doctors available to care for them. On Dec 4, 2008 twenty men and women … Continue reading
Somalian Pirates
The people of Somalia have had to face many problems throughout their history. Since the government was overthrown by waring clans in 1991 Somalians have been living in a war torn country. There is still no central government, and violence and death are an everyday reality that they are forced to face. Thousands of Somalians are suffering through famine, brought on by drought, which has caused crops to fail and has left town water holes empty. More than 30,000 Somalians have been killed as a result of the current civil war, and another 300,000 have died due to reoccurring famines that ravage the country. These people are receiving little or no aid from the clan leaders. As a result, many Somalians have had to take extreme measures in order to survive. Some Somalians have decided to take up piracy as a means of surviving and prospering despite the civil unrest in their country. Somalian pirates are primarily Somalians who have fought or are fighting for one of the many warring factions that exist in Somalia. The motive of Somalian pirates began as survival but since then has changed to entrepreneurship. Somalian pirates began their efforts by setting up road blocks … Continue reading
Information about Somalia
Somali is a country rich in culture and history. It is also a country that is well known for the daily violence and brutality that occurs there due to the absence of a central government. If you plan to travel to Somalia, or are just interested in the country, it is essential that you acquire a good deal of accurate Somalia information. The population of Somalia is roughly 9,832,017 people. There are a variety of races and ethnicities that make up this population, including Somali, Arab, Bantu, as well as other. Important Somalia information to keep in mind if you travel to Somalia is that the majority of Somalians are Muslim and therefore follow Islamic law. If you travel to Somalia make sure that you show a great deal of respect for their culture, beliefs and traditions. For example, if you are a female you should dress extremely modestly and show very little skin. Somalians do not eat pork or drink alcohol. Other vital travel information about Somalia includes the climate and terrain. Somalia is typically dry and hot. The temperature ranges from about 68°F in the winter to about 100°F in the summer. Inadequate rainfall often leads to drought … Continue reading
Famine in Somalia
The country of Somalia faces many ongoing problems. Many people are aware of the ongoing political conflicts and the civil war that brings violence and death to the Somalian people everyday. They realize that 30,000 Somalians have been killed since the government was overthrow in 1991. However, few people actually realize the extent to which this fighting has affected the people of Somalia. They forget about the other 300,000 people who have been killed due to famine in Somalia. The irreversible damage that has occurred due to the Somalia famine may have been avoided or reduced with the cooperation of a central government. Famine in Somalia has been brought on in large part due to drought and inadequate and unpredictable rainfall. Crops, such as the sorghum crop, has failed and village water holes have run dry, providing Somalians with no access to food or water, and the clans and factions in Somalia are so busy fighting their civil war that they are doing little, or nothing, to help the people who are suffering from famine in Somalia. Somalia famine has caused thousands of people to flee from their homes, where they have no access to the resources that are necessary … Continue reading
The Economy of Somalia
Somalia is a country that has experienced internal conflict and war for much of it’s history. Violence and death have become daily realities for the people of Somalia since the central government was overthrow in 1991. There are thousands of refugees throughout the country that have been displaced by the ongoing civil war, as well as reoccurring floods that have plagued the country. Famine is widespread throughout Somalia due to drought and the failure of crops. 300,000 people have died because of starvation and malnutrition and thousand continue to suffer. Somalia has many problems and is considered a relatively poor country, but in comparison to many other African countries Somalia is doing well for itself, especially it’s economy. Though the Somalian economy does not grow and flourish, it continues to be maintained. One would think that due to the civil unrest that is taking place within the country and the absence of a stable government for over eighteen years, the Somalia economy would be in shambles. This is not the case. Somalia has been able to manage the continued existence of a lively informal economy. The Somalia economy depends a great deal on telecommunications and livestock. Farm animals account for … Continue reading
Vacationing in Somalia
Somalia is a country that has a history of violence and brutality. In 1991 the central government was overthrown and warring clans took control of Somali. These clans continue to fight amongst themselves in cities throughout the country. Gun fights and bombings take place on a daily basis in city centers, on the streets and in broad daylight. Many innocent bystanders are injured and killed because of clan wars. Somalia is not a safe place for independent travel, and vacation to Somalia is not recommended. Should you choose to ignore the travel warnings and vacation to Somalia anyway it is imperative that you consult an expert on the best ways to remain safe while in a war torn country. That being said, Somalia has a unique history of trade and commerce, and a vacation to Somalia would provide individuals with the opportunity to experience a country with an extraordinary blend of cultures. Most travel agencies do not offer Somalia Vacation packages due to the danger presented by the current strife within the country. People who have planned a vacation to Somalia have visited cities such as Hargeysa, Mogadishu, El Harar, Darin Tog and Badhan. Any Somalia Vacation should include a … Continue reading