Situation Somalia
BET.com looks at Somalia’s challenges.
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Fractured State - For the past two decades, Somalia has been dogged with the problems of piracy, terrorism and famine. As violence heightens and oil raises the stakes, BET.com takes a look at what issues Somalia must face on its road to stability. —Naeesa Aziz The East-African nation of Somalia has struggled to establish stability since President Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. The country now functions without a central government and largely under the control of militia groups and clans. (Photo: Radu Sigheti/Reuters)
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The Rise of Al-Shabab - Al-Shabab emerged as the radical youth wing of Somalia's now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts in 2006. Now, al-Shabab has joined ranks with al-Qaeda and controls much of the Southern and Central parts of the country. The group has claimed responsibility for several instances of civilian kidnappings and bombings and plans to institute Islamic law across the entire country. (Photo: REUTERS/Feisal Omar)
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War Fuels Famine - In 2011, Somalia faced one of the world’s worst famines in the last 20 years, which left millions on the verge of starvation.However, the environmental causes of the famine were exacerbated by continued fighting between militia groups, such as al-Shabab, the transitional government forces and African Union troops. The famine crisis extended beyond the borders of Somalia and affected millions across the Horn of Africa. As of 2012, more than 2.3 million in Somalia continue to rely on emergency assistance for survival. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)
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Children at Risk - At the height of the conflict, Human Rights Watch warned that Somalia’s warring parties put children in increasing danger, with insurgent group al-Shabab targeting children for recruitment, forced marriage and rape."For children in Somalia, nowhere is safe," said Zama Coursen-Neff, deputy children’s rights director at Human Rights Watch. "Al-Shabab rebels have abducted children from their homes and schools to fight, for rape and for forced marriage."(Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)
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African Union Helps Land a Victory Against Al-Shabab - In March 2011, Somali government and African Union forces seized an area on the outskirts of Mogadishu from al-Shabab. Although Somali government and AU forces pushed al-Shabab out of Mogadishu last year, the group continued to carry out deadly suicide bombings in the city.(Photo: REUTERS/Feisal Omar)
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Pirates in the Horn of Africa - Another threat to Somalia’s stability is its bands of pirates who troll the coast and threaten international shipping in the area. The pirates cost the global economy an estimated $7 billion per year.The European Union naval force is upping the ante against the notorious, sea-faring Somali pirates by taking their offensive on land. (Photo: REUTERS/Turkish Chief of Staff)
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Western Fears - Given the rise of al-Shabab in Somalia, Boko Haram in Nigeria and al-Qaeda across Northern Africa, Western nations have now expressed concerns that these groups will join forces and coordinate their training, funding and terror activities.U.S. Army Gen. Carter Ham told the House Armed Services Committee that if the groups are successful, "that presents a real challenge for us.” (Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP Pool via Getty Images)
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Collaborative Action - In Feb. 2011, representatives of more than 40 countries met in London to discuss solutions to Somalia’s volatile mix of security issues. Following the meeting, Somali prime minister welcomed foreign air strikes over Somalia to stem the activities of al-Shabab. (Photo: Matt Dunham/WPA Pool/Getty Images)