The central government structure of Somalia has suffered immensely under the civil war and continues political unrest from 1991 onwards. Before the structure of centralized government collapsed, the country was divided into 15 regions with a total of 80 districts. Governing councils were appointed by the president. Currently a transitional government (Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic) exists alongside various other governments or parties all of whom are claiming sovereignty over certain areas. The most prominent of these regional administrations are the Republic of Somaliland, Puntland and Galmudug. Within the internationally recognized borders of Somalia a federal structure exists to date with the major part of the Somali’s living according to nomadic traditions. The transitional government has planned national elections for 2011 but many factors surrounding these elections remain unclear, foremost the demarcation of national borders and their recognition.
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The alienation and lack of connection of several regions from central government formed one of the reasons for the turbulent past two decades of Somali history. With the long lasting absence of centralized government local communities have sole responsibility over their own future. Despite the existence of several governmental institutions traditional forms of governance take precedence over these centralized institutions.
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International organizations are not so much focusing on the development of local government as such but more so on the improvement of general humanitarian conditions. Public services are now mostly taken care of by non-governmental organizations. Healthcare, nutrition, education and supporting small scale economic development are primary issues on which these organizations focus. In order for local government to be build in a constructive and sustainable way clarification and stabilization of the institutional status of Somalia is a primary requirement.
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