Somalia - Bandits and Clans

All Somalis can trace their ancestry back to six clans. Back then, Sir Richard Burton (who got a spear through the cheek as a souvenir of his visit) called them "a fierce and turbulent race of republicans." Today there are 26 main factions broken into sub-clan groups, and in a big powwow its not unusual to see 500 or so leaders show up. Most of the factions are simply extended families engaged in blood feuds. They take no prisoners, and if you stumble onto anybody's turf, expect to be treated accordingly (i.e., shot or macheted). Where clans don't rule, bandits do. Bandits control large rural areas and snipe around in the cities, as well. Police forces are present in some cities, but are essentially impotent and refuse to stand up to the clans and bands of thugs. They have few resources and are as likely to be targeted for death as anyone else. Muslim shari'a law, which has replaced any form of institutional legal system in Somalia, is enforced in a noncohesive fashion by clan elders.

http://www.sil.org/ethnologue/countries/Soma.html