Official name

Somali Democratic Republic

Form of state

In theory, a unitary republic, but a new constitution, due for approval in 2011, is set to create a federal republic; in May 1991 the Somali National Movement (SNM) unilaterally declared the creation of an independent state in the north, the Somaliland Republic; the rest of the country remains divided between rival armed factions

Legal system

In April 2009 parliament passed a bill for sharia (Islamic law) to be applied throughout the country; however, in practice, local authorities or elders enforce laws based on custom

National legislature

The People's Assembly has not been active since 1991; a new, interim, 550-seat Federal Transitional Parliament (FTP) was expanded in January 2009 from 275 seats to incorporate the Islamist opposition Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) group based in Djibouti and members of civil society; the new FTP, based in Mogadishu, is also made up of representatives from Somalia's four major clans (each has been allocated 61 seats), while a fifth grouping (an alliance of minority clans) has 31 seats;

National elections

Last elections in 1967 (presidential) and 1969 (legislative); new elections are scheduled for 2011, but grave insecurity and the lack of government control in the country suggest that meaningful polls cannot be held until peace is restored

National government

The president, prime minister and 36-member cabinet; the cabinet was re-formed in February 2009; Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is president of the interim Transitional Federal Government of Somalia; Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo is president of the Somaliland Republic

Main political factions

The main political factions that make up the FTP are the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (formerly based in Djibouti), the National Salvation Council (NSC), the Somali Restoration and Reconciliation Council (SRRC), various regional administrations, and various civil society and traditional leaders; al-Shabab (the biggest insurgent jihadi group, which has recently incorporated another Islamist militia, Hizbul Islam); Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS; based in Eritrea);

President: Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed

Prime minister: Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo

Key ministers

Defence: Abdihakim Mohamed Haji Fiqi

Finance & Treasury: Hussain Abdi Halane

Foreign affairs: Mohamed Abdullahi Omar

Internal affairs & security: Abdishakur Sheikh Hasan Farah

Minerals, energy & petroleum: Abdirizaq Sheikh Muhiddin

Ports & transport: Ahmad Abdirahman

Somaliland Republic

The Somaliland Republic in the north was declared independent in 1991, with Hargeisa as its administrative capital; it has functioning legislative and executive branches of government; in the long delayed presidential election, finally held in June 2010, the incumbent, Dahir Riyale Kahin, came second; the winner was Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo, who was the candidate of the Kulmiye ("unifier") party; Mr Kahin leads the Democratic United National Party (UDUB), while the province's other party, the Justice and Welfare Party (UCID), is led by Faisal Ali Warabe, who came third in the presidential poll; parliamentary and council elections are due to be held by the end of 2011