In 1960 both British and Italian Somaliland declared independence together as the Republic of Somalia.

This plan would have reunited the Somali people of the Ethiopian-controlled Ogaden with those living in the Republic of Somalia.

The Republic of Somalia is a member of:

During this period, there were two main factions in the Republic of Somalia who provoked an all out war which became known as the Somalian Civil War.

With its natural resources it had the conditions necessary to achieve economic development and a decent life for citizens in the Republic of Somalia, which came into being in 1960.

In January 1991 the Republic of Somalia bought a cargo of rice to be discharged at Mogadishu.

This is not a case of competing claims to the U.S.$2m.; there is no dispute that it is the property of the Republic of Somalia.

The question therefore is whether the interim government is the Government of the Republic of Somalia.

There is no recognised diplomatic representative of the Republic of Somalia to the United Kingdom.

The interim government clearly does not satisfy these criteria; the Republic of Somalia currently has no government.