Sao Tome and Principe:
Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the
late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to
coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation
slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century.
Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were
not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were
held in 1991.
Saudi Arabia:
In 1902 Abdul al-Aziz Ibn SAUD captured Riyadh and set
out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian peninsula. In the
1930s, the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following
Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti
royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab
troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the
following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an
economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all
major governmental concerns.
Senegal:
Independent from France in 1960, Senegal joined with The
Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982.
However, the envisaged integration of the two countries was never
carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. Despite peace
talks, a southern separatist group sporadically has clashed with
government forces since 1982. Senegal has a long history of
participating in international peacekeeping.
Seychelles:
A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for
the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter.
Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close
with a new constitution and free elections in 1993.
Sierra Leone:
Since 1991, civil war between the government and the
Revolutionary United Front (RUF) has resulted in tens of thousands
of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (well
over one-third of the population) many of whom are now refugees in
neighboring countries. A peace agreement, signed in July 1999,
collapsed in May 2000 after the RUF took over 500 UN peacekeepers
hostage. The RUF stepped up attacks on Guinea in December 2000,
despite a cease-fire that it signed with the Freetown government one
month earlier. As of late 2000, up to 13,000 UN peacekeepers were
protecting the capital and key towns in the south. A UK force of 750
was helping to reinforce security and train the Sierra Leone army.
Singapore:
Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, Singapore
joined Malaysia in 1963, but withdrew two years later and became
independent. It subsequently became one of the world's most
prosperous countries, with strong international trading links (its
port is one of the world's busiest) and with per capita GDP above
that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
Slovakia:
In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to
form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II,
Czechoslovakia became a communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern
Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once
more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate
peacefully on 1 January 1993. Historic, political, and geographic
factors have caused Slovakia to experience more difficulty in
developing a modern market economy than some of its Central European
neighbors.
Slovenia:
In 1918 the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in
forming a new nation, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War
II, Slovenia became a republic of the renewed Yugoslavia, which
though communist, distanced itself from Moscow's rule. Dissatisfied
with the exercise of power of the majority Serbs, the Slovenes
succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991. Historical
ties to Western Europe, a strong economy, and a stable democracy
make Slovenia a leading candidate for future membership in the EU
and NATO.
Solomon Islands:
The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon
Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II
occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and
independence two years later. Current issues include government
deficits, deforestation, and malaria control.
Somalia:
A SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil,
factional fighting, and anarchy followed for nine years. In May of
1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland
which now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi
Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any
government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by
the overwhelming dominance of the ruling clan and economic
infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American
military assistance programs. The regions of Bari and Nugaal
comprise a neighboring self-declared Republic of Puntland, which has
also made strides towards reconstructing legitimate, representative
government. Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort
(primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions,
but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant
casualties, order still had not been restored. A Transitional
National Government (TNG) was created in October 2000 in Arta,
Djibouti which was attended by a broad representation of Somali
clans. The TNG has a three-year mandate to create a permanent
national Somali government. The TNG does not recognize Somaliland or
Puntland as independent republics but so far has been unable to
reunite them with the unstable regions in the south; numerous
warlords and factions are still fighting for control of Mogadishu
and the other southern regions.