Topic: Somaliland

Energy Voices Are oil super majors falling behind the competition?

Oil super majors' performance hasn't been very impressive of late, Alic writes. They might have to get smaller to get bigger if they wish to avoid being rendered irrelevant by the growing ranks of juniors, she adds. 

Geography of joy? Where the world's happiest people live.

Seven of the world's 10 countries with the most upbeat attitudes are in Latin America, says a new Gallop survey. Panama is No. 1 on the list. People in 148 nations were asked: Were they well-rested, had they been treated with respect, smiled or laughed a lot, learned or did something interesting and felt feelings of enjoyment the previous day.

'Half the Sky:' Series on exploited women looks to empower

'Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide' is airing as part of public TV's 'Independent Lens' series. The documentary is based on New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's 2009 bestseller.

Why Somalis aren't benefiting from rollback of Islamists

The past year's offensive against Islamist militia Al Shabab should have opened territory for aid groups to operate in. But security and funding shortages remain problems.

Keep Calm Europe launches airstrikes on Somalia to uproot pirate base

This is the first time the European-led naval expedition, Operation Atalanta, has attacked a pirate base on Somali territory.

Keep Calm Drill for oil in Somalia? Why not, says Australian firm

Australia-based Jacka Resources plans to start oil exploration in Somaliland, a region of Somalia that declared itself independent in 1991. Nice work if you can get it.

In Nigeria, Somalia, and Afghanistan: what is a foreign fighter?

In countries where colonial borders don't reflect ethnic or family ties, it's not as easy to decide who is a foreigner. Yet Nigeria has deported 11,000 foreigners in the past six months on suspicion of Islamist sympathies.

Opinion: Nations must learn from past mistakes in helping Somalia

This week Britain led another international attempt to help Somalia, a dysfunctional state plagued by piracy and terrorism. Nations must learn from the past that trying to build up a central government in Somalia won't work. It's the regions and sub-clans that need bolstering.

Opinion: Congo: National elections now only hurt democracy

What the Democratic Republic of Congo needs is not another national election but a rethinking of how the state might be reorganized. In the long run, only a decentralized system of government – or perhaps a partition of the country – is likely to produce accountable leadership.

What's the hurry, Belgium? Somalia has gone without a government for 20 years.

Today, Belgium announced the formation of a coalition government after 541 days of stalemate.

Better US response to Somalia famine could fix misperceptions

US restrictions on aid for Somalia famine, although well-intentioned, are severely hindering relief efforts. International Crisis Groups says that lifting them would improve Somali opinions of the US.

A "third wave" of Somali pirates?

A new group of younger, more violent Somali pirates may be on the rise, says Jay Bahadur, author of "The Pirates of Somalia."

Abaarso Tech, run like a business, brings top-notch education to Somalia

Jonathan Starr founded Abaarso Tech in Somaliland to unlock the potential of the country's brightest boys and girls.

Somalia famine: Lessons we can take away

Somalia expert Ken Menkhaus spoke with a guest blogger from the Enough Project about what policies need to change for a durable solution to the famine.

Running with sheep

In Djibouti, a foreigner's early-morning jogs open up a world of curious encounters.

New semiautonomous region in Somalia vows to fight Al Shabab

The creation of Jubaland/Azania was driven by the need to fight the Al Qaeda-linked militant group, Al Shabab, but it's unclear whether the new region will be able to do that effectively.

7 books to help you understand Libya

What to read for background on Libya? The shelves of English-language libraries and bookstores are not exactly crammed with options. However, there are a handful of works – from histories to fiction to travel literature – which offer a good general grounding in the country's background and culture. Here, at least for starters, are some interesting suggestions.

Somalia transitional parliament extends term three years, prompting criticism

The vote of Somalia's transitional parliament to extend its term may damage its international credibility and undermine support in the West.

Will Sudan referendum inspire secessionists elsewhere in Africa?

New countries borne of partitions and border changes are not common, but will partial autonomy in Somaliland lead to secession now that South Sudan provides an example?

Ivory Coast, Sudan referendum: Africa stories to look out for in 2011

The year 2011 will include some big developments in Africa to look out for – Sudan's referendum and the continuing strife in Ivory Coast, among others.

Why Somalia would make Afghanistan seem like Mr. Rogers' neighborhood for US troops

Sunday's Uganda bombings show that the threat of Somalia's Al Shabab is very serious, so what should the US do about it? The status quo is not working, but if you think Afghanistan is a quagmire, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Somaliland elections: Why the world ignores Horn of Africa's oasis of stability

The self-declared republic of Somaliland voted this past weekend for a new president. Somaliland is the one corner of Somalia that functions, but the international community refuses recognize it as a nation-state. Is the West scuppering its best chance for democracy in the region?

As deadline approaches, Obama speeds up Guantánamo Bay closure

The Obama administration's announcement Sunday that 12 Guantánamo detainees would be sent to other countries followed news that some detainees would be transferred to an Illinois facility. The president set a Jan. 22, 2010 deadline for closing the Guantánamo Bay prison, but seems unlikely to meet it.

In Somalia's break-away corner, an oasis of stability

The self-declared republic of Somaliland has elections, a strong economy, and zero tolerance for extremists or pirates. But no one recognizes it.

Thursday's coverage: WHO upgrades H1N1, Peru uprisings, and Holocaust Museum shooter