This is the official Somalia population survey done in 2014. Even the federal government uses it for projects. Bari + Nugaal put together has smaller population than Hargeisa district (Waqooyi Galbeed).
View attachment 41321
http://somalia.unfpa.org/sites/defa...timation-Survey-of-Somalia-PESS-2013-2014.pdf
Correct, After Mogadishu, Hargeisa is no doubt the second largest city in Somalia. It is not up for question at all.