Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly
People's Assembly (Golaha Shacbiga): not functioning
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (not functioning)
Political parties and leaders: the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted
the former regime on 27 January 1991; formerly the only party was the
Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), headed by former
President and Commander in Chief of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD
Barre
Other political or pressure groups: numerous clan and subclan factions
are currently vying for power
Member of: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD,
ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: Somalian Embassy ceased operations on
8 May 1991
US diplomatic representation: note: the US Embassy in Mogadishu was evacuated and closed indefinitely in January 1991; Ambassador Daniel SIMPSON, ambassador to Kenya, represents US interests in Somalia liaison office: US Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya address: corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi mailing address: P.O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, Nairobi or APO AE 09831 telephone: [254] (2) 334141 FAX: [254] (2) 340838
Flag: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust territory)
@Somalia:Economy
Overview: One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has few resources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by the civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and seminomads who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood make up about 70% of the population. Crop production generates only 10% of GDP and employs about 20% of the work force. The main export crop is bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn are grown for the domestic market. The small industrial sector is based on the processing of agricultural products and accounts for less than 10% of GDP; most facilities have been shut down because of the civil strife. The greatly increased political turmoil of 1991-93 has resulted in a substantial drop in agricultural output, with widespread famine. In 1994 economic conditions stabilized in the countryside but may turn worse in 1995 if civil strife intensifies after the UN withdrawal.