deciding to continue...

In 1970 Mr Barre proclaimed a socialist state, paving the way for close relations with the USSR. In 1977, with the help of Soviet arms, Somalia attempted to seize the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, but was defeated thanks to Soviet and Cuban backing for Ethiopia, which had turned Marxist.

The capitol, Mogadishu:
This is the scene of arguably Africa's worst humanitarian crisis. Lawlessness has been rife since the military government collapsed in 1991. The UN estimates 1 million people have become refugees. Government forces, backed by Ethiopian troops, defeated the Islamic militia who, for the second half of 2006, controlled much of the country.
A transitional government, which emerged in 2004, is backed by the UN, and the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland and the region of Puntland run their own affairs

A Timeline:

In 1991 President Barre was overthrown by opposing clans, but they failed to agree on a replacement and plunged the country into lawlessness and clan warfare.

In 2000 clan elders and other senior figures appointed Abdulkassim Salat Hassan president at a conference in Djibouti. A transitional government was set up, with the aim of reconciling warring militias. As its mandate drew to a close, the administration had made little progress in uniting the country.

In 2004, after protracted talks in Kenya, the main warlords and politicians signed a deal to set up a new parliament, which later appointed a president. The fledgling administration, the 14th attempt to establish a government since 1991, has faced a formidable task in bringing reconciliation to a country divided into clan fiefdoms.

Its authority was further compromised in 2006 by the rise of Islamists who gained control of much of the south, including the capital, after their militias kicked out the warlords who had ruled the roost for 15 years.

With the backing of Ethiopian troops, forces loyal to the interim administration seized control from the Islamists at the end of 2006. A surge in violence ensued. It is estimated that 60% of Mogadishu's residents have since fled their homes.

After the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, the north-west part of Somalia unilaterally declared itself the independent Republic of Somaliland. The territory, whose independence is not recognised by international bodies, has enjoyed relative stability.

This is a quick overview of the recent past from the bbc and can be found here.