History of Somalia
The history of Somalia is a history rife with political conflicts and violence. During antiquity Somalia was a popular center for trade and commerce and was important for the resources that they provided to the rest of the ancient world. Ancient Phoneticians, Egyptians and Babylonians relied on Somalia for coveted items such as spices and myrrh. Through the trade contacts that Somalia upheld with Islamic countries, The religion of Islam flourished throughout the city states. Throughout Somalia history the regional trade was dominated by an array of small empires. These Somalian empires included the Sultanate of Adal, the Ajuuraan State and the Gobroon Dynasty. One of the most famous success stories in Somalia history took place after the Berlineise Conference ended and the General Act of the Berlin Conference was no longer held in regard during colonization. The General Act of the Berlin Conference regulated the colonization of Africa in an organized matter, giving certain areas of Africa to different European nations to colonize. Once it was no longer in affect European nations traveled around the Horn of Africa looking for land to colonize. In Somalia history Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, the leader of the Dervish State, is recognized for organizing a Somali army and engaging in one of the longest resistances to colonial expansion in history. Somalia managed to fight of the British for a quarter of a century, and remained uncolonized until 1920.The next twenty one years of Somalia history would be spent as a protectorate of Britain. Italy also took control of parts of Somali in 1927. In 1960, Somalia gained it’s independence when Northern Somalia and Southern Somalia united to form the Somali Democratic Republic, the first Republic to be implemented in the history of Somalia. Aden Abdullah Osman Daar was named president, and Abdirashid Ali Shermarke became Prime Minister. On July 20,1961 the Somali Constitution was changed and ratified.
The history of Somalia continued to experience violence and struggle even after Somalia gained independence. Somalia history is teeming with inter-clan rivalry. After president Shermarke was assassinated in 1969, a small group led by the Chief of Police Jama Korshel, Major General Salaad Gebeyre Kediye and General Siad Barre forcefully overtook the government and replaced it with a military government. Barre was named president and Korshel became vice-president. The military government introduced many successful programs that improved life in Somalia, such as public works programs and a literacy campaign that increased the literacy rate 50%. However, as through all of the history of Somalia, struggles continued. Opposing clans overthrew President Barr in 1991, but failed to agree on someone to take the presidency. Clan warfare swept through the country and chaos and disorder ensued. In 2004 politicians and clan leaders signed an agreement that instituted a new parliament in Somalia, which named a new president and sought to reunite the divided country. Throughout the history of Somalia, up until today violence and warfare is common throughout the country. Beginning in 2006 Ethiopian troops and Islamic insurgents fought for control of the government. Al-Shabaab, an Islamic insurgency group which has ties to Al-Qaeda, has gained control of most of Somalia. The people of Somalia have to face the fear brutality and death every day.