Somalia: Situation of the Darod-Ogaden, including their traditional clan territory, clan structure, and alliances (1999)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 18 October 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SOM33092.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Situation of the Darod-Ogaden, including their traditional clan territory, clan structure, and alliances (1999), 18 October 1999, SOM33092.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad7b34.html [accessed 30 December 2015] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No information on the Ogaden sub-clan of the Darod, including their clan structure and the location of their traditional clan territory, further to that of SOM24776.E of 10 September 1996 and SOM32056.E of 15 June 1999, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
There were reports of fighting in 1999 among clan militias in traditional Darod-Ogaden territory, particularly in and around Kismayo, resulting in numerous casualties (AFP 11 June 1999; Reuters 12 Sept. 1999; UNICEF Somalia Review 30 Sept. 1999). The following brief chronology of clan fighting in the territory traditionally occupied by the Darod-Ogaden continues that found in SOM32056.E of 15 June 1999.
On 9 February 1999, the UNCT Somalia Monitor reported that humanitarian agencies were continuing their operations in southern Somalia "despite the proliferation of militia men and renewed conflicts in Kismayo and Sakow."
In a 10 March 1999 article, AFP cited the UNCT Somalia Monitor for the period 23 February-5 March 1999, which described the humanitarian situation in southern Somalia, which encompasses the territory traditionally occupied by the Darod-Ogaden, as "very worrying" due to the failure of the February harvest and widespread water shortages.
Fighting in March 1999 in and around Kismayo also resulted in numerous casualties and in the displacement of non-combatants (UNCT Somalia Monitor 25 Mar. 1999). According to the UNCT Somalia Monitor,
The renewed conflict in Kismayo and its surrounding also made an unknown number of civilians displaced within the Juba valley region. In February, as many as 50 people died and nearly 100 were injured when fighting spilled over into Kismayo town. As the conflict continues, the area remained highly dangerous for humanitarian agencies to operate, and movement of civilians remained extremely restricted, causing the price of essential commodities to rise and the purchasing power of the people to erode (ibid.).
In June 1999, General Mohamed Siyad Hersi "Morgan" and his forces were ousted from Kismayo by an alliance of Marehan, Habr Gedir and Ogaden militia fighters (AFP 11 June 1999). According to the UNICEF Somalia Review, the attack on Kismayo resulted "in the deaths of more than 50 people and 100 injured. The attack displaced families in Hosungo, Afmadow, Dhobley and Badhade towns" (30 June 1999).
A 17 July 1999 report by IRIN-CEA also referred to continuing insecurity in the territory traditionally occupied by the Darod-Ogaden. According to the report,
uncertainty prevails in the Juba valley where last October the leaders of various Darod clans, including General Adan Abdullahi Nur "Gebiyou" (Absame/Ogaden), and General Mohamed Siyad Hersi "Morgan" (Majerteen/Harti) were planning to organise their own administration. Now General Morgan has been driven out of his base at Kismayo by supporters of Hussein Aideed, and General Adan's rival for support among the Ogaden, Colonel Ahmed Omar Jess, is again making a serious bid for Ogaden support and for control of Kismayo. The conflict for Kismayo has been complicated by the involvement of the Somali National Front, a Marehan/Darod front from Gedo region. The Marehan have always had interests in Kismayo, and the SNF faction of General Omar Haji Mohamed "Masaleh", which threw its lot in with Hussein Aideed two years ago, was substantially involved in the ousting of General "Morgan". However, General Omar is also facing problems in Gedo region from another SNF faction, and also from Ethiopia which has been supportive of both General "Morgan" and General "Gebiyou", and of General Omar's opponents.
According to the 30 September 1999 UNICEF Somalia Review,
Most areas of Lower Jubba experienced intermittent clashes between different militia. Disputes over ownership of technical vehicles resulted in more than 20 deaths including that of a prominent businessman and some innocent civilians. More than 50 people were injured including a newly-recruited UNICEF security guard. The Kismayo Alliance deployed a total of 140 policemen supported by technicals in an effort to improve the security in Kismayo town, particularly at the seaport and airport.
General Morgan of the Somalia Patriotic Movement (SPM) left the town of Badhade and is now in Baidoa. Clashes between rival militia in Hosungo resulted in about 65 deaths and total destruction of Hosungo town, except the mosque. Heavy fighting between the supporters of Colonel Omar Jess and those of General Morgan in Bu'ale resulted in eight deaths and 11 injuries. A meeting was held in Afmadow which sought to establish an Islamic court for Jubba region and set up a local administration representing all clans in Lower Jubba region.
This information was corroborated by a Reuters report of 12 September 1999.
For a recent overview of the political situation in Somalia, please consult the 24 September 1999 Africa Confidential article, " Building Blocks: Reconstructing the State Step-by-Step is Showing Results - but Outsiders Stay Sceptical," available at your Regional Documentation Centre.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Agence France Presse (AFP). 11 June 1999. "Somalia Port City of Kismayo Falls after Major Clan Battle."
_____. 10 March 1999. "Humanitarian Situation in Somalia 'Very Worrying:' UNCT."
Reuters. 12 September 1999. "Villages Destroyed as Rival Somali Clans Battle."
UNCT Somalia Monitor. 25 March 1999.
_____. 9 February 1999.
UNICEF Somalia Review. 30 September 1999.
_____. 30 June 1999.
United Nations, Integrated Regional Information Network for Central and Eastern Africa (IRIN-CEA). 17 July 1999. "Somalia: Are 'Building Blocks' the Solution?"
