bbc World Service podcasts

The Instant Guide is the programme that gives you the background information to a story in the news. Somali civilians are at the mercy of armed groups who kill, rape and kidnap with impunity, according to an Amnesty International report. They say government troops, as well as their Ethiopian allies are out of control in Somalia. This week's programme looks at who holds power in Somalia and why the groups are fighting with such dire consequences.