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Somalia (Somali: Soomaaliya; Arabic: الصومال‎ translit: aṣ-Ṣūmāl), officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is located on the Horn of Africa in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the north-west, Kenya on its south-west, and the Gulf of Aden on its north, and the Indian Ocean at its east. The Somali state currently exists solely in a de jure capacity; Somalia has no recognized central government authority nor any other feature associated with an established independent state. De facto authority resides in the hands of the governments for the unrecognized entities of Somaliland, Puntland, the Supreme Islamic Courts Council (SICC) and the United Nations-recognized, interim Transitional Federal Government (TFG) until recently just in Baidoa about 260 kilometers north-west of the capital Mogadishu. Violence has plagued Somalia since warlords ousted former Supreme President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

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Map locates Mogadishu, Somalia, where militants are fighting with African Union peacekeepers. African Union
Pakistani supporters of accused al-Qaida associate Aafia Siddiqui, celebrate her birthday in Karachi, Pakistan Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Aafia Siddiqui, 37, was convicted of two counts of attempted murder, though the jury found the crime wasn't premeditated. She was also convicted of armed assault, using and carrying a firearm, and assault of U.S. officers and employees. Al-Qaeda
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20: Nasoni Roko (R) of Fiji tackles Innocent Simiyu of Kenya during day two of the IRB Adelaide International Rugby Sevens match between Fiji and Kenya at Adelaide Oval on March 20, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia. Kenya
A woman in traditional costume walks in front of Djibouti's delegation at Beirut's Sports City during the opening ceremony on September 27, 2009 of the 'Jeux de la Francophie' (Francophone Games), a four-yearly event that organisers hope will shine a positive spotlight on a country long rocked by political unrest. Some 3,000 athletes and participants from 42 countries are expected for the September 27-October 6 extravaganza, which is being held under tight security. Djibouti
(L-R) Spain's Ethiopia's Kalkidan Gezahegne, her compatriot Gelete Burka and Natalia Rodriguez compete in the women's 1500m final at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships at the Aspire Dome in the Qatari capital Doha on March 14, 2010. Gezahegne got the gold medal while Rodriguez and Burka won the silver and bronze respectively. Ethiopia
Yemeni security forces patrol a rugged area in the province of Abyan, south of Sanaa, on March 17, 2010. Yemen has beefed up security around oil and maritime installations for fear of retaliation by Al-Qaeda after several strikes against the jihadist network, the interior ministry said. Yemen
An Afghan boy plays on the hilltop in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, March 18, 2010. Afghanistan
A Ugandan security personnel in plain clothes points a gun at rioters at the site of the burned down Kasubi Tombs Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Kampala, Uganda. Ugandan security forces fatally shot three people in the capital Wednesday during clashes with rioters angry after the tombs of five traditional kings were destroyed overnight by fire, a tribal government official said. Lubega Segona, minister of information for the Buganda kingdom, said three people were killed and several wounded by members of the presidential guard. He said the guards shot at angry members of the traditional kingdom who had tried to stop Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni from visiting the tombs. Uganda
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea celebrates with Samuel Tsegay of Eritrea after winning the Men's IAAF/EDF Energy World Half Marathon Championships 2009 on October 11, 2009 in Birmingham, England. Eritrea
NATO peacekeepers guard the site of Gazimestan for the last day after it is handing the security to Kosovo Police on Thursday March 18, 2010. NATO says it is putting local police in charge of securing the site of an ancient battle that lies at the historical heart of Serbia's resolve to retain the territory of Kosovo. The site was the scene of an epic 1389 battle for Kosovo, in which a Christian army led by Serbian Prince Lazar was defeated by invading Ottoman forces. In 1989, Slobodan Milosevic used the site to deliver a speech that whipped up Serb nationalism that helped lead to the disintegration of Yugoslavia. NATO
Josette Sheeran, executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP) shows food rations, meals ready to eat, as she talks about the situation in Haiti during a press conference at the World Economic Forum meeting at Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday Jan. 27, 2010. Financial reforms, climate talks and Haiti's reconstruction are set to dominate the agenda of the world's elites heading up to the Swiss mountain resort of Davos this week for their annual meeting. World Food Programme
New York Times best-selling authors and syndicated radio hosts Rick and Bubba talk about their favorite subject - food - in their new book, Rick and Bubba's Big Honkin' Book of Grub. Where "the two sexiest fat men alive" eat, what they eat and their favorite family recipes. New York Times Company
Members of the Unite union, supporters of the British Airways strike, wearing masks depicting US President Barack Obama, left, a pig, center, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, right, hold placards during a rally at Heathrow Airport in London, Saturday March 20, 2010. The placard, bottom left, refers to BA CEO Willie Walsh. TBritish Airways canceled more than 1,000 flights after its cabin crew launched a three-day strike Saturday, wreaking havoc on the plans of tens of thousands of passengers just before the busy spring holiday season. Chief Executive Willie Walsh issued a direct apology via YouTube for the walkout, the airline's first in almost 15 years, saying it was a "terrible day for BA." The strike _ backed by some unions in the United States, Germany and Spain _ also risked harm to Britain's Labour government before a tough general election expected before June. Barack Obama
This picture taken on March 17, 2010 in Rome shows the same day's editions of Italian national major newpapers with advertisements for a demonstration of the ruling Popolo della Liberta (PDL) party ahead of the regional elections. The advertisement, urging supporters of Italian Prime Minister and President of the PDL Silvio Berlusconi to rally on March 20 in Rome, shows an old photo of Berlusconi with the slogan 'Love Always Wins Over Envy and Hatred'. Rome
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton smiles at the State Department in Washington, Monday, March 15, 2010, after hosting an event recognizing Haiti earthquake volunteers though a live video conference with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti. US State Department
In this image issued by EU NAVFOR on Friday March 5, 2010 shows a boarding party from the EU NAVFOR French warship FS Nivose on Somali pirate skiffs off the Somali coast on Friday March 5, 2010. Swarms of Somali pirates are moving into the waters off East Africa, triggering four shootouts Friday including a skirmish with French military personnel that sunk a pirate skiff, officials said. The end of the monsoon season and the resulting calmer waters signal the beginning of the most dangerous period for ships traveling the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Nearly half the 47 ships hijacked off Somalia last year were taken in March and April. East Africa
A billboard at the Farragut North Metro station in Washington, DC on September 29, 2009 shows an image of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden wearing an 'I love Guanatanamo' t-shirt. Inspired by sustained support for an end to torture from the world community and a clear majority of Americans, Avaaz. org is launching a metro billboard ad campaign to remind policymakers that torture is illegal, unethical and a top recruiting tool for the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network. Osama bin Laden
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends 15 February 2007 a Security Council meeting with government members at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin appointed a new Russian defense minister, the former head of the Russian Federal Tax Service, Anatoly Serdyukov, 15 February 2007. Serdyukov was the head of the country's federal tax service and first made a name for himself in the private sector. His predecessor Sergei Ivanov was appointed 15 February 2007 first deputy prime minister by Putin U N Security Council

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A Somali money changer carries a bundle of notes at the Bakara open market in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

CloseCaption
A Somali money changer carries a bundle of notes at the Bakara open market in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

AP 

Somali money changers sit with large amounts of money on display at the Bakara open market in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

CloseCaption
Somali money changers sit with large amounts of money on display at the Bakara open market in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

AP 

Displaced families wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partner with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

CloseCaption
Displaced families wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partner with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

AP 

A displaced Somali woman with her children wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partner with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

CloseCaption
A displaced Somali woman with her children wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partner with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

AP 

Displaced families wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partnership with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

CloseCaption
Displaced families wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partnership with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

AP 

Displaced Somali people carry food from aid distributed by a local NGO in partnership with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

CloseCaption
Displaced Somali people carry food from aid distributed by a local NGO in partnership with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

AP 

Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, and Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), shake hands following the signing of an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

CloseCaption
Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, and Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), shake hands following the signing of an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), left seated, and Sherif Hassan Adu of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, seated, signing the framework of an agreement that will see the ASWJ and the Somalia government form unity government and pool troops to fight insurgents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

CloseCaption
Sheikh Mohammed Yusuf of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), left seated, and Sherif Hassan Adu of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, right, seated, signing the framework of an agreement that will see the ASWJ and the Somalia government form unity government and pool troops to fight insurgents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

From left, Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, and Seyum Mesfin, Ethiopia's foreign minister in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

CloseCaption
From left, Sheikh Mahmud Sheikh Hassan, spiritual leader of Ahlu Sunna Waljama (ASWJ), Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, prime minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, and Seyum Mesfin, Ethiopia's foreign minister in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March, 15, 2010. Somalia's government has signed an agreement with a powerful militia that offers high-level militants senior government positions in return for their military support during a long-planned offensive against an Islamist insurgency.

AP 

Somali shoe shiners sit on the pavement in Mogadishu, Somalia to clean shoes for customers,Monday,March 15, 2010. The shoe shiners who are mostly orphans earn daily about $5 each from the shoe-cleaning work but Madey Hassan, left, says "the situation here is volatile and if fighting starts we are paralyzed because there will be bullets flying everywhere,".

CloseCaption
Somali shoe shiners sit on the pavement in Mogadishu, Somalia to clean shoes for customers,Monday,March 15, 2010. The shoe shiners who are mostly orphans earn daily about $5 each from the shoe-cleaning work but Madey Hassan, left, says "the situation here is volatile and if fighting starts we are paralyzed because there will be bullets flying everywhere,".

AP 

Somali shoe shiner sits on the pavement in Mogadishu, Somalia to clean shoes for customers, Monday, March 15, 2010. The shoe shiners who are mostly orphans earn about $5 per day from the shoe-cleaning work but Madey Hassan, pictured says "the situation here is volatile and if fighting starts we are paralyzed because there will be bullets flying everywhere,".

CloseCaption
Somali shoe shiner sits on the pavement in Mogadishu, Somalia to clean shoes for customers, Monday, March 15, 2010. The shoe shiners who are mostly orphans earn about $5 per day from the shoe-cleaning work but Madey Hassan, pictured says "the situation here is volatile and if fighting starts we are paralyzed because there will be bullets flying everywhere,".

AP 

Somali female students attend their annual exam in Yusuf Kowneyn secondary school in Mogadishu, Somalia, despite violence and security challenges in the capital Sunday, March 14, 2010. The students dodge firefights on their way to school. Some of them have been caught in the crossfire and killed.

CloseCaption
Somali female students attend their annual exam in Yusuf Kowneyn secondary school in Mogadishu, Somalia, despite violence and security challenges in the capital Sunday, March 14, 2010. The students dodge firefights on their way to school. Some of them have been caught in the crossfire and killed.

AP 

Somali female students attend their annual exam in Yusuf Kowneyn secondary school in Mogadishu, Somalia, despite violence and security challenges in the capital Sunday, March 14, 2010. The students dodge firefights on their way to school. Some of them have been caught in the crossfire and killed.

CloseCaption
Somali female students attend their annual exam in Yusuf Kowneyn secondary school in Mogadishu, Somalia, despite violence and security challenges in the capital Sunday, March 14, 2010. The students dodge firefights on their way to school. Some of them have been caught in the crossfire and killed.

AP 

Somali students attend their annual exam in Yusuf Kowneyn secondary school in Mogadishu, Somalia despite violence and security challenges in the capital, Sunday, March 14, 2010. The students dodge firefights on their way to school. Some of them have been caught in the crossfire and killed.

CloseCaption
Somali students attend their annual exam in Yusuf Kowneyn secondary school in Mogadishu, Somalia despite violence and security challenges in the capital, Sunday, March 14, 2010. The students dodge firefights on their way to school. Some of them have been caught in the crossfire and killed.

AP 

A Somali woman holds her malnourished child at southern Mogadishu's Banadir Maternity and Children hospital, Somalia, Saturday, March 13, 2010. Medics at the hospital say there is shortage of medicines, as rising numbers of children contract acute watery diarrhea in Mogadishu.

CloseCaption
A Somali woman holds her malnourished child at southern Mogadishu's Banadir Maternity and Children hospital, Somalia, Saturday, March 13, 2010. Medics at the hospital say there is shortage of medicines, as rising numbers of children contract acute watery diarrhea in Mogadishu.

AP 

A Somali woman lies beside her malnourished child at southern Mogadishu's Banadir Maternity and Children hospital, Somalia, Saturday, March 13, 2010. Medics at the hospital say there is shortage of medicines, as rising numbers of children contract acute watery diarrhea in Mogadishu.

CloseCaption
A Somali woman lies beside her malnourished child at southern Mogadishu's Banadir Maternity and Children hospital, Somalia, Saturday, March 13, 2010. Medics at the hospital say there is shortage of medicines, as rising numbers of children contract acute watery diarrhea in Mogadishu.

AP 

Somali government soldiers carry sack of bullets discovered during overnight operation in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, Somalia, Friday, March 12, 2010. Intense fighting broke out for the third day between Somali government forces backed the AU forces and Islamist insurgents Friday.

CloseCaption
Somali government soldiers carry sack of bullets discovered during overnight operation in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, Somalia, Friday, March 12, 2010. Intense fighting broke out for the third day between Somali government forces backed the AU forces and Islamist insurgents Friday.

AP 

Somali government soldiers display bullets discovered during an overnight operation in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, Somalia, Friday, March 12, 2010. Intense fighting broke out for the third day between Somali government forces backed the AU forces and Islamist insurgents Friday.

CloseCaption
Somali government soldiers display bullets discovered during an overnight operation in Somalia's capital Mogadishu, Somalia, Friday, March 12, 2010. Intense fighting broke out for the third day between Somali government forces backed the AU forces and Islamist insurgents Friday.

AP 

A Somali government soldier in plain clothes guards a road block as residents load their belongings on a minibus as they flee their neighborhood in the capital, Mogadishu, Somalia, where intense fighting broke out for the third day between Somali government forces backed the AU forces and Islamist insurgents on Friday March 12, 2010.

CloseCaption
A Somali government soldier in plain clothes guards a road block as residents load their belongings on a minibus as they flee their neighborhood in the capital, Mogadishu, Somalia, where intense fighting broke out for the third day between Somali government forces backed the AU forces and Islamist insurgents on Friday March 12, 2010.

AP 

A Somali government soldier in plain clothes guards a road block as residents load their belongings on a minibus as they flee their neighborhood in the capital, Mogadishu, Somalia, where intense fighting broke out for the third day between Somali government forces backed the AU forces and Islamist insurgents on Friday March 12, 2010.

CloseCaption
A Somali government soldier in plain clothes guards a road block as residents load their belongings on a minibus as they flee their neighborhood in the capital, Mogadishu, Somalia, where intense fighting broke out for the third day between Somali government forces backed the AU forces and Islamist insurgents on Friday March 12, 2010.

AP 

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A Somali money changer carries a bundle of notes at the Bakara open market in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

CloseCaption
A Somali money changer carries a bundle of notes at the Bakara open market in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

AP 

Somali money changers sit with large amounts of money on display at the Bakara open market in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

CloseCaption
Somali money changers sit with large amounts of money on display at the Bakara open market in Mogadishu, Somalia Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

AP 

Displaced families wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partner with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

CloseCaption
Displaced families wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partner with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

AP 

A displaced Somali woman with her children wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partner with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

CloseCaption
A displaced Somali woman with her children wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partner with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

AP 

Displaced families wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partnership with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

CloseCaption
Displaced families wait for food aid distributed by a local NGO in partnership with World Food Program Tuesday, March 16, 2010, in southern Mogadishu's Hamarweyne district, Somalia.

AP 

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