Why is Somalia called a rain shadow desert?

Somalia is referred to as a rain shadow desert primarily due to its geographical location and topography. The country is situated along the eastern coast of Africa, where the Somali Mountains block moist air coming from the Indian ocean, preventing it from reaching the interior regions. As a result, the western areas receive more rainfall, while the eastern parts, particularly the coastal plains, experience significantly less precipitation, leading to arid desert conditions. This phenomenon creates the characteristic dry climate seen in much of Somalia.