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UNITED NATIONS OPTIONS FOR PROBLEM SOLVING

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UNITED NATIONS OPTIONS FOR PROBLEM SOLVING

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Created in 1960 from a former British protectorate and an Italian colony, Somalia collapsed into anarchy following the overthrow of the military regime of President Siad Barre in 1991.

As rival warlords tore the country apart into clan-based fiefdoms, an internationally-backed unity government formed in 2000 struggled to establish control, and the two relatively peaceful northern regions of Somaliland and Puntland effectively broke away.

The seizure of the capital Mogadishu and much of the country's south by a coalition of Islamist shariah courts in 2006 prompted an intervention by Ethiopian, and later, African Union, forces.

Since 2012, when a new internationally-backed government was installed, Somalia has been inching towards stability, but the new authorities still face a challenge from Al-Qaeda-aligned Al-Shabab insurgents.

See more country profiles - Profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring

FACTS

LEADERS
President: Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, was elected by MPs gathered under tight security in a hangar at the airport of the capital Mogadishu in February 2017.

The dual US-Somali citizen served as prime minister for eight months between 2010 and 2011 when he gained popularity by ensuring regular payment of army salaries and implementing a biometric register for security personnel.

He has expressed readiness to talk to the Islamist al-Shabab militants.

MEDIA

Somalia's disintegration is reflected in its fragmented and partisan media, which operates in a hostile environment.

Journalists and media outlets complain about intimidation at the hands of state security agencies. Nevertheless, professionally-run media outlets have emerged - in particular, FM radios with no explicit factional links.

The TV and press sectors are weak and radio is the dominant medium. Domestic web access is held back by poor infrastructure, but social media use is on the rise.

Read full media profile

TIMELINE

7th-19th centuries - From the 7th-century arrival of Islam onwards, modern-day Somalia is ruled by a series of at times competing sultanates.

19th century - European colonial powers gradually make inroads into Somalia's rival regional states, with the bulk of the area coming under Italian rule and the British establishing control of the northwest.

1960 - Italian Somaliland and British Somaliland become independent, merge and form the United Republic of Somalia.

1969 - Mohamed Siad Barre assumes power in coup after the assassination of the elected president; he goes on to declare Somalia a socialist state and nationalises most of the economy.

1991 - The ousting of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 sparks a decades-long civil war between rival clan warlords and the disintegration of central authority. Former British Somaliland declares unilateral independence.

1990s- US-spearheaded UN peacekeeping mission fails to restore peace. Northern Puntland region declares autonomy in 1998.

2005-2012 Pirates - mainly operating out of Puntland - pose a major menace to shipping off the Somali coast, before falling away as a threat as a result of an international naval operation.

2006 - Militias loyal to the Islamist Union of Islamic Courts capture Mogadishu and other parts of south after defeating clan warlords, before being driven out by Ethiopian forces.

2007-11 - An African Union peacekeeping force, Amisom, begins to deploy and Ethiopian troops withdraw in 2009. Al-Shabab - a jihadist breakaway from the Islamic Courts - advance into southern and central Somalia, prompting an armed intervention by Kenya.

2012 - Efforts to restore a central authority since 2000 finally make substantial progress, with the swearing in of the first formal parliament in more than 20 years, and the holding of the first presidential election since 1967. Pro-government forces make key advances against Al-Shabab militants.

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Created in 1960 from a former British protectorate and an Italian colony, Somalia collapsed into anarchy following the overthrow of the military regime of President Siad Barre in 1991. As rival warlords tore the country apart into clan-based fiefdoms, an internationally-backed unity government formed in 2000 struggled to establish control, and the two relatively peaceful northern regions of Somaliland and Puntland effectively broke away.

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While formal foreign assistance evaporated at the height of the emergency, more than 200 non-governmental organizations were carrying out humanitarian operations. Several west European and African nations, Canada, People's Republic of China, Egypt, Libya, Russia, the Holy See, and the European Union maintain diplomatic missions in Kigali.

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More information about Rwanda is available on the Rwanda Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.

U.S.-RWANDA RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Rwanda in 1962, following its independence from a Belgian-administered trusteeship. From 1990 to 1994, the country experienced civil war and genocide. The United States seeks to help Rwanda meet the needs of its population, including increased social cohesion in a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive Rwanda that provides good governance and an enabling environment for private sector-led growth. The United States supports Rwandan efforts to increase democratic participation, enhance respect for civil and political rights, build capacity of its peacekeeping forces, grow its economy, and improve the quality and outcomes of health care and basic education. Rwanda is one of the world's poorest countries, but it has made progress in developing national and local government institutions, economic development, maintaining security, promoting reconciliation, achieving Millennium Development Goals, and strengthening the justice system.

U.S. Assistance to Rwanda

The United States assists Rwanda in providing basic health services for the populace; expanding economic opportunities in rural areas, particularly through a strengthened agricultural production and food security program; protecting and promoting the country's unique biodiversity; strengthening democracy engagement between civil society and government; expanding access to electricity; and improving the foundational educational system and skills (literacy, numeracy, and workforce readiness) that prepare Rwandan youth for a modern service-based economy. These goals are carried out through various presidential initiatives such as Feed the Future; Power Africa; Trade Africa; and the Global Health Initiative, including the President's Malaria Initiative and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). U.S. assistance also supports Rwanda's refugee response and promotes regional economic integration to spur business development, entrepreneurship, and increased employment opportunities.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Rwanda is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The United States and Rwanda have a trade and investment framework agreement (signed in 2006) and a bilateral investment treaty (signed in 2011). The United States also has signed trade and investment framework agreements with the East African Community (EAC) and with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Rwanda is a member of both regional organizations. U.S. business interests in Rwanda are expanding, with private U.S. investment in tea, coffee, energy, mining, water treatment, banking, franchising, services, and manufacturing. U.S. exports to Rwanda include aircraft, pharmaceutical and scientific products, machinery, optical and medical instruments, construction equipment, and agricultural products. U.S. imports from Rwanda include coffee and other agricultural products, tantalum and tungsten ores, basketwork, handbags, and apparel.

Rwanda's Membership in International Organizations

Rwanda and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, and World Intellectual Property Organization. Rwanda is also a member of a number of regional organizations, including the African Union, COMESA, and EAC.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda is Peter H. Vrooman; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Rwanda maintains an embassy in the United States at 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202-232-2882).

More information about Rwanda is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Rwanda Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Rwanda Page
U.S. Embassy
USAID Rwanda Page
History of U.S. Relations With Rwanda
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Country Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Millennium Challenge Corporation: Rwanda
Travel Information

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More information about Rwanda is available on the Rwanda Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet. U.S.-RWANDA RELATIONS The United States established diplomatic relations with Rwanda in 1962, following its independence from a Belgian-administered trusteeship.