Lawyers in Somalia

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 country. In 2008, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Program, the first women’s lawyer association was created in Somaliland. It is the goal of this organization to help Somalians, especially men, to recognize the importance of women lawyers to society. It seeks to help women thrive in a male dominated profession. In 2008 there were only five members of the association, with seventeen women set to graduate from the University of Hargeisa the following September. The United Nations has provided grants to help women attend law school, as well as providing financial support and training to the association. When the association was created there was only one practicing female lawyer in Somali, Ifra Aden Omar. Ifra Aden Omar is currently the head of the association that supports women who choose to enter the legal profession.

With the increase in piracy off the shores of Somalia the role of both Somalian and foreign lawyers has become essential to negotiations and the arrangement of ransoms. The Somalian coast is teeming with pirates who took to the seas in order to survive the war and the famine that has overtaken Somalia. They travel up and down the coast, capturing ships and holding the crew and cargo hostage. The crew and cargo will remain hostages until a ransom is paid. In 2009 alone the pirates were responsible for 406 attacks. Lawyers become extremely important tools in ransom negotiation. They are needed in order to carry out communications with pirates themselves, as well as the families of the crew members. Such was the case in February, 2009 when Somali pirates took control of an Industrial Shipping Enterprises tanker. The CEO, James Christodoulou, contacted the lawyers at the firm Seward & Kissel and enlisted their assistance in ransom negotiations. After four months of negotiations the lawyers negotiations paid off and the safety of the crew and the cargo was secured. Lawyers play a vital role not only in our society, but also in Somalian society.

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 stabbed. They have been treating many civilians, including women and children who get caught in the cross fire between opposing clans. The hospital is technically very well prepared to treat the wounded patients that come to them for medical assistance. They have all the tools and the medication that they need in order to treat patients. The doctors and nurses at Keysaney Hospital have become used to working in a hospital in which they must treat numerous war wounded patients daily. Medina Hospital is the largest health care facility in Mogadishu. Often these hospitals are faced with the problem of running out of the room that they need in order to accommodate patients. So many people are injured from day to day that hospitals often run out of space to put the wounded. In the past few years there have been numerous occasions in which patients had to be lain in the shade underneath a tree outside because the hospitals were so overcrowded. The continuous state of chaos in Somalia often makes hospitals an unsafe place for doctors and nurses to work. In 2004, Mogadishu’s only free hospital was shutdown while gunmen threatened the staff. Earlier Doctor Bashir Sheikh had been forced to remove a woman’s womb in order to save her life. As a result the family of the woman sent the gunmen to the hospital and demanded 50 camels, which is the compensation that is offered when a woman dies. The family maintained that the woman was as good as dead because she could no longer have children. As a result, many women and children who needed medical attention could not be admitted to the hospital. Hospitals also face the problem of keeping the war wounded safely in the hospital until they are out of danger and ready to be released. It is difficult for hospitals to convince patients to stay because they fear getting arrested. Keysaney Hospital estimates that they released about 500 patients who were not ready to be released because they refused to stay. There is also a lack of specialists in Somalian hospitals, such as orthopedic specialists. Therefore, many individuals are going without the treatment that they need.

Doctors 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 to individuals who are in severe need of attention from a doctor. To date, Doctors Without Borders has provided health care to thousands of individuals in Somalia. This organization is the main provider of free medical service throughout the country. They have maintained a staff of 1,452 individuals in Somalia and they have another staff consisting of 104 people in Nairobi, who travel to Somalia and offer assistance when security will allow it. Doctors Without Borders provides primary health care to the people of Somalia, as well as treats people who have been displaced or are suffering from malnutrition. They offer treatment and perform surgery on individuals who have been injured by violence due to the ongoing civil war. Doctors Without Borders also assists in distributing water and relief supplies throughout the country. In 2008 the doctors from this organization provided the people of Somalia with 727, 428 outpatient consultations and they treated 55,000 women for ante-natal care. 4,000 people who were suffering from malaria were able to receive treatment from a doctor. They also provided 1,556 Somalians with tuberculosis treatment. Doctors Without Borders distributed food and provided medical care to 35,000 people who were suffering from nutrition and also administered 82,174 vaccinations. Having access to a doctor is something that is taken for granted by many people living in developed nations. For the people living with constantly appalling conditions in Somalia, the organization is Doctors Without Borders is providing them with an invaluable service. Because of these doctors the people of Somalia are able to cope with illnesses, wounds and infections that may have otherwise killed them. Each doctor that is working in Somalia is risking his/her life everyday to help improve the lives of the individuals who are living in this unstable country.

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 importance on traditional law and customs. They follow a legal system known as Xeer, which is very unlike the legal system in any developed nation.

Xeer is a great example of the way in which a stateless society uses customary law. In Somalia there is no formal law system. Therefore, criminals who break laws are not punished with incarceration or fines. Within this system clan elders appoint judges that mediate problems and arguments. Crime and law are understood in terms of property rights. Instead Somalians implement a system of compensation. A criminal is expected to compensate a victim and fines are paid to individuals and not to the government. For example, the compensation for the death of a daughter is fifty camels. In order to make sure that an individual can compensate victims for any wrong doing that they may commit every individual must be insured. In Somalia this means that if a person is unable to pay the compensation that they owe then one of the criminal’s family must pay the compensation. They family will then insure that the criminal does not commit the crime again. In developed countries controlling criminals is the duty of the government, in Somalia it is the duty of the family. If the family has to continue to bail out a family member they can choose to disown them and the criminal then is termed an outlaw. Outlaws must leave the country because they are no longer under the protection of any laws. In Somalia there is no authority that states what the law should be. Instead, if there is a problem, the criminal and the victim will gather in front of the judges, or the individuals appointed by the elders, and they will figure out the best resolution for the dispute. Like all legal systems Xeer requires specialists in different area. Police officers a called waranle, attorneys are called garxajiyaal, and judges are called odayal.

Somalian Physicians

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 graduated from a Somalian medical school in Mogadishu and achieved their dreams of becoming a physician. Each of these individuals are extremely exceptional. They risked their lives everyday, dogging bullets in order to get to the University, because they know that Somalia is in desperate need of physicians. While they were completing their studies two of their fellow classmate were killed by gunfire that occurred due to the civil war. These students were the first group of physicians to graduate from a medical school in Somalia in two decades. The program was a six year program that was dedicated to teaching each of the students the knowledge and tools that they would need in order to become a physician. Earlier in 2008 the city of Mogadishu received their first public ambulance system in eighteen years, which will allows physicians to reach individuals who are in need of immediate medical attention more quickly. It is likely, due to the conditions surrounding the education of the students and the state of the government, that their degrees will not be valid in other countries and will only let them practice in Somalia. However, the introduction of each physician into society is invaluable to the Somali people.

Despite the dangerous conditions in Somalia, physicians continue to work in the country and provide medical assistance to thousands of sick and injured Somalians. The United Nations Populations Fund currently has physicians stationed in Somalia in order to provide health care to woman who are pregnant and assist in delivering children and ensuring that births are safe. Doctors Without Borders also has many physicians working throughout Somalia to help treat sick and injured individuals, as well as provide medical treatment to Somalians suffering from malnutrition and famine. Every physician who is working in Somalia is risking his/her life on a daily basis to improve the life of others.

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 and demanding a tax from anyone who wished to pass. In the last few years they have realized the opportunities that are available to them on the seas. They started their undertaking by working with local fisherman. As time progressed and they began to make a large profit from the boats that they extorted, Somalian pirates purchased their own boats and a wide array of weapons. This year alone the Somalian pirates have captured over 90 ships ranging from ships carrying resources such as crude oil, to cruise ships, to ships transporting food. In 2009 the pirates were responsible for 406 attacks. The pirates usually hold the ships, the cargo and the crew hostage until they are offered an acceptable ransom. If a pirate is working for a warlord, then the ransom that they receive and the profit that they make from piracy is distributed between the warlord’s friends and family, as well as to other clan members. Somalian pirates are currently holding a British couple hostage and are threatening death if a ransom is not paid. The pirates are believed to have accomplished their most successful operation to date on January 18, 2009 when a ransom of between 5.5 and 7 million dollars was delivered to the pirates in order to secure the release of a Greek tank carrying millions of barrels of crude oil. The tank was headed from Saudi Arabia to the United States when it was attacked. The pirates are continuing to expand their operations and are moving further away from the coast of Somalia in order to avoid opposition from war ships. The United Nations has authorized military raids on pirates and they continue to try to come up with ways to eliminate piracy. They have enlisted the aid of the navies of varying countries to help fight pirates.

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 and eventually failed crops. As a result widespread famine is common in Somalia. Precise Somalia information regarding the extent of the damage that the famine has called is difficult to obtain. This is because it is unsafe for rescue workers, volunteers and doctors to enter the country and provide the victims of malnutrition with aid. It is estimated that to date, over 300,000 people have died do to starvation and malnutrition. town watering holes often dry up and Somalians attempt to flee into other countries for aid, but are stopped at the borders and are refused entry into other countries. Until the internal civil strife is under control there is little that foreign organizations and governments can do about Somalia and the appalling conditions that Somalians are forced to live in.

Many people, organization and governments around the world are worried about Somalia and the current political conflict that is taking place there. Waring clans take part in open gun fire and are responsible for bombings that occur in cities throughout the country. Many innocent citizens are injured and killed in the crossfire that occurs between these clans. To date, over 30,000 people have been killed due to the Civil War, and Somalians have to fear brutality and death on a daily basis. It is difficult for organizations and foreign governments to obtain accurate Somalia information and data, as it is dangerous for anyone to travel to Somalia to record the extent of the damage and the actual number of fatalities. Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders have been extremely concerned about Somalia and the lack of medical attention that Somalians are receiving. They have stationed a staff of 1,452 individuals in Somalia in order to treat the wounded and the ill, administer vaccines, distribute water and supplies and collect vital Somalia information, including the conditions in which Somalians are living. Hopefully the internal political strife will soon come to an end and there will be more that we can do about Somalia and the relief and humanitarian efforts that need to continue to occur there.

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 for survival, to makeshift camps. Often, people who are suffering from famine in Somalia have attempted to cross into bordering countries, such as Kenya, where they are refused entrance into the country and are offered little or no assistance. Many individuals die in these camps or near the borders of neighboring countries.

The United Nations has tried repeatedly to assist with Somalia famine, but their effort reliefs are often hampered due to the current state of the country. The clan fighting that is taking place in Somalia makes in difficult and dangerous for workers to enter the country and provide relief to Somalians. Because of this workers are unable to find out haw many people have dies because of Somalia famine, or how bad the food shortage really is. Foreign governments and organizations do not offer any long term assistance to help the people cope with famine in Somalia. They provide quick, one time fixes by offering aid and delivering food, however, famine in Somalia will continue to occur. In order to reduce the effects of Somalia famine a central government needs to be instated, and the infrastructure of Somalia needs to change. That way, when famine dose strike in Somalia the people have a government that can assist them and provide some form of relief. Somalia famine is not the only famine taking place in Africa. Famine is widespread throughout much of Africa and repeated famines have been documented in countries such as Rwanda and Ethiopia. Throughout history much of the world has had to cope with famine at one time or another. Famine has occurred in Russia, Asia, and Europe in places such as Italy, England, Iceland, and Finland. One of the most well known famines in history was the Great Potato Famine, that occurred between 1845–1849 in Ireland, killing 1,000,000 people and forcing another 1,000,000 to emigrate.

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 about 65% of the export profit that is made in Somalia. Natural resources such as oil, gems and coal exist only in small quantities, if at all, in Somalia. There are few natural resources in Somalia that are numerous enough to nourish the economy. Temperatures in Somalia range from 68° F in the winter, with temperatures as high as 100° F in the summer. The climate of Somalia is dry and hot. Because rainfall in Somalia is inadequate and rare, the people of Somalia can not rely on farming and agriculture to fuel the economy. In southern Somalia there are a few banana plantations that help to contribute to the Somalia economy. Over the last few decades the Somalia economy has relied heavily on the export of livestock including sheep, goats, cattle and camels. However, in recent years the export of livestock has taking a hit because of reoccurring bans instated by Arabian Peninsula states. Myrrh, frankincense and uranium also make up a small portion of the countries exports. Northern Somalians have begun producing a small fishing industry, in which they catch fish such as shark and tuna with the purpose of exporting them to assist the Somalia economy. Other small domestic markets include sugar, sorghun, corn and qat. The internal struggles on the country has debased it’s currency until the exchange rate became over 30,000 shillings for one United States dollar. Therefore Somalians rely heavily on bartering, or exchanging one item of value for another item of value. Somalians depend on commerce and trade, as they have for much of their history. The continuous civil strife has hampered any further progress of the economy and although the economy survives, it does not flourish. The Somalia economy will most likely not begin to prosper and expand until the civil strife comes to an end and a central government is established.

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 trip to Hargeysa, as it is one of the safest places in Somalia for travelers. It is the largest city in Somalialand, as well as the capital city. While you are walking around Hargeysa you may notice a unique war memorial which includes a civil war era plane atop a building. Another exceptional site that should be seen on a Somalia vacation are the Neolithic cave paintings, which are located on the outskirts of Hargeysa. These cave paintings have been excellently preserved throughout history. Other than these locations there are few tourist spots in Hargeysa, however you can find plenty of quaint cafes and restaurants with delicious food, as well as novel teashops. The streets of Hargeysa are always bustling and the markets are always busy. If you are planning a vacation to Somalia you will undoubtedly want to visit the capital city, however this may not be in your best interest. The city of Mogadishu is the capital city of Somalia. It is very unsafe to travel to Mogadishu, as it is overrun by chaos and lawlessness. Many of the buildings in the capital city are in ruins due to the civil war, however there is one building that remains in tact and is a beautiful destination for people who vacation to Somalia. This building is the Mosque of four pillars, or the Arba-Rucun Mosque. The Mosque was built in 1269 and it is believed that it was built by a descendant of the Prophet Mohammad. Because of it’s religious significance, warlords agree on protecting the mosque. A Somalia vacation should include a visit to the city of Badhan which provides travelers with beautiful views and opportunities for outdoor activities. Rock mountains, extraordinary trees and grasslands teeming with wildlife can be found on the outskirts of Badhan. One very bizarre Somalia vacation is offered by Somali cruises. They charge people $800 dollars a day in order to sail up and down the Somali coast and scout pirates. They encourage vacationers to bring their own weapons, but if they should not have any there are a variety of weapons available to rent. Somali cruises guarantees customers that they will experience two attempted hijackings and if they do not they will be refunded. I would not recommend this ‘vacation’ for any sane person. Though travel to Somalia is very difficult right now, hopefully the internal civil strife will soon come to an end, making a Somalia vacation a safe and fun adventure.