Fifth Floor

Somalia: memories, identity and war


Listen Later

In January 1991, the Somali state collapsed into civil war after the fall of President Mohamed Siad Barre. For those living in what used to be British Somaliland, the violence began in 1988, when government forces bombed Hargeisa. Thousands fled to neighbouring Ethiopia, including Ismail Einashe, then a young boy, now a contributor to BBC Africa’s Letter from Africa. He reflects on his memories of that time, and Hartisheik refugee camp, to which he returned in 2019.

David Amanor has left the building!

All good things come to an end, and this is David’s last programme on The Fifth Floor. Friends from over the years bid a fond farewell, and remember some of his “best bits”. Expect Russian horses, songs and poetry, bees and the pungent stench of durian fruit.

Image: A memorial commemorating those killed in the aerial bombardment of Hargeisa in 1988

Credit: MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP via Getty Images

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Fifth FloorBy BBC World Service

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

33 ratings


More shows like Fifth Floor

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,860 Listeners

The Archers by BBC Radio 4

The Archers

1,117 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,075 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,496 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,818 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,850 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,061 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

2,023 Listeners

Lives Less Ordinary by BBC World Service

Lives Less Ordinary

605 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,213 Listeners

The Bomb by BBC World Service

The Bomb

1,044 Listeners