Somalia: Update to Response to Information Request SOM19255.E OF 7 February 1995 on the status of the Rahanweyn (Rahanwayn, Rahanwiin) clan and the availability of internal flight alternatives (IFAs)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SOM20065.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Update to Response to Information Request SOM19255.E OF 7 February 1995 on the status of the Rahanweyn (Rahanwayn, Rahanwiin) clan and the availability of internal flight alternatives (IFAs), 1 March 1995, SOM20065.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab4668.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| 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. |
According to a professor of political science at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, and currently on sabbatical at the US Army Peacekeeping Institute in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Rahanweyn clan comprise one of the six largest Somali clans. They make up about 20 to 25 per cent of the Somali population. The same source stated that the group is a loose collection of small clans primarily located between the Shebelle and Juba rivers. Thus, the Rahanweyn are concentrated in the Bay, Gedo, Shebelle, and Bakool regions (ibid.). These regions also happen to be vulnerable to military domination by the Marehan and Hawiye clans (ibid.).
The professor stated that the Rahanweyn are primarily farmers and as a result, other groups, who are essentially herders, tend to look down on the Rahanweyn. Unlike the herder clans, the Rahanweyn settle in villages and identify mostly with their villages and also with their clan (ibid.). They are a vulnerable group given that some of their land has been occupied by the Marehan and the Hawiye (ibid.). Also, they are a disadvantaged group as they never had political or military influence in Somalia (ibid.). The professor stated that in general the Rahanweyn would be safe in their areas of concentration, although it could be dangerous to relocate them. Howerver, any Rahanweyn, who is known to have publicly criticized the Marehan or Hawiye occupation of any parts of Rahanweyn territory, would clearly be at risk even within Rahanweyn territory (ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.
Reference
Professor of political science at Davidson College, Davidson, NC, and currently on sabbatical at the US Army Peacekeeping Institute in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. 6 February 1995. Telephone interview.
