Somali Press

• Formal Name: Somali Democratic Republic.
• Short Form: Somalia.
• Term for Citizen: Somali (pl., Somalis).
• Capital: Capital: Mogadishu.

The Somalis are most closely related to the Rendille and the Afar, and distantly related to the Oromos, all Eastern Cushite peoples.  Somalis are not a unitary people group, but a grouping of broad clan federations divided by language and by clan conflicts.  Although all Somalis profess strong allegiance to Islam, they hold stronger primary loyalties to self, family and clan, in that order. 

Somalia is situated in the strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Cana. It is located on the east coast of Africa. 

The rare findings and evidences of archeology, anthropology, historical linguistics, and related disciplines have provided insights of the origins and evolution of the Somali people. For example, where historians once believed that the Somalis originated on the Red Sea's western coast, or perhaps in southern Arabia, it now seems clear that the ancestral homeland of the Somalis, together with affiliated Cushite peoples, was in the highlands of southern Ethiopia, specifically in the lake regions. 

The British signed treaties with the clans in what was known after as British Somaliland which was a protectorate in 1886 after the withdrawal of Egypt. Egypt sought to prevent European colonial expansion in Northeast Africa. The southern area, was colonised by Italy in 1889, became known as Italian Somaliland. Between 1900 and 1907, the Italian leaders tried several times to negotiate a land deal with the Geledi Sultan based in ASfgoye and his Biyo-maal and Digil warriors. 

Fierce battles between warring factions throughout southern Somalia took place throughout the 1990s, but in 1992 the US led a UN mission (Operation Restore Hope) to distribute food aid to the southern population. Without much ado a nasty little conflict between the US-UN and warlord General Aideed began, during which it's estimated that thousands of Somalis died. The last UN troops pulled out in 1995 having alleviated the famine to some extent, but the nation was still a disaster area. 

Linguistic, cultural and historical evidence, however, indicates they came originally from the southern highlands of what is now Ethiopia.  The basis of such claims to Arab origin may lie in trading and marriage alliance relations with old Arab colonies on the Somali coast. 

Although an interim government was created in 2004, other regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various regions of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia and the semi-autonomous State of Puntland in northeastern Somalia. 

Foreign relations characterized by tension with neighboring states and economic dependence on aid from Arab and Western nations. Relations with neighboring states gradually improved as irredentist claims dating from Ogaden War period (1977-78) formally abandoned during 1980s; relations with Ethiopia remained strained despite 1988 peace agreement resulting from mutual harboring of foreign guerilla forces and uncontrolled mass migration. 

There are 18 regions Administrative divisions:

Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed. 

Cultural activities primarily consist of poetry, folk dancing, the performance of plays, and singing. These traditional activities still retain their importance, especially in rural areas, and are practiced not only at family and religious celebrations but also at state ceremonies. On such occasions traditional local costume is generally worn. 

Somalia's disintegration is reflected in its media, which is undeveloped, fragmented and often partisan. Broadcasters and journalists operate in an atmosphere which is hostile to free expression, and often dangerous.

Journalists defy danger to serve their audiences. In spite of this, diverse and more professional media outlets have emerged in recent years - in particular, FM radio stations with no explicit factional links.