Conflict Profile: Lower Shabelle (Somalia's most diverse region)

[Bohol]

Very interesting insight into the history of political and land conflicts in Lower Shabelle. Much like
the other regions in south Somalia it is inhabited by over many dozens of various communities
which equals more fighting over resources and land in each district. This explains why it is harder
to stabilize regions like Lower Shabelle and Hiiraan. In comparison in the north places like in
Somaliland and Puntland it is normal to find entire districts only inhabited by one community.



From the bottom up: Southern Regions - Perspectives through conflict analysis and key political actors’ mapping of Gedo, Middle Juba, Lower Juba, and Lower Shabelle



Conflict Profile: Lower Shabelle

 

[Bohol]

Demographic breakdown of Lower Shabelle district by district


1.Marka District: The port city of Marka, which serves as the capital of Lower Shabelle, is the administrative and business centre of Marka District. It lies approximately 90km south of Mogadishu. Marka District is home to the Biyamal (Dir), Digil (Rahanweyn), 12 Koofi (Benadiri), Madow (Somali Bantu), and Hawiye sub-clans. According to UNDP 2005 statistics, the district has a population of approximately 192,939 persons. Marka has experienced inter- and intra-clan conflicts mainly between the Biyamal and Hawiye clans over social, political, and economic competition. Like other districts in Lower Shabelle, ascension by clan to the leadership of an area is seen as a move towards institutionalizing the group’s claim over territory. Accordingly the Biyamal, Digil, and 12 Koofi communities, who claim historical rights to the region argue that the farac communities committed social atrocities against them. The Biyamal specifically claim that they have been persecuted by the farac since 1993.



2.Afgoye District: Afgoye is an agricultural district in the south-east of Lower Shabelle, approximately 30km northwest of Mogadishu. The Shabelle River divides Afgoye town. The district is home to numerous Somali clans. According to UNDP Statistics, Afgoye District has a population of approximately 211,712 persons, most of whom depend on agriculture and livestock. Geledi (Rahanweyn), Wacdaan, Hintire, Gorgaarte, Shec (all Hawiye), and Madow (Somali Bantu) sub-clans are present in the district. The influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region, caused by conflict between Ethiopia and the UIC (2007-2008), conflict between AMISOM and al-Shabaab (2010-2012), and the recent famine (2011), has exerted huge pressure on essential resources and services such as clean water, food, hygiene facilities, farm and grazing land, and basic supplies. Competition for scarce resources threatens to fuel clan conflict in the district. Political and administrative control of Afgoye also drives clan conflict in the district. This is demonstrated by the frequency with which the local administration has changed hands. After the fall of government in 1991, non-local clan militias gained control of the district, followed by Hizbul Islam, then al-Shabaab, and finally by Sheikh Sharif’s nominated administration led by District Commissioner, Abdullaahi Abdi Ahmed Ibey.



3.Barawe District: The capital of the district is the port town of Barawe. Barawe District is home to non-armed and socially marginalized groups. The original inhabitants of the city, including the Rer Barawe (minority) and Tunni (Digil), were displaced by farac clan militias. In 2005, the UNDP estimated the population of Barawe District at 57,652 persons. Barawe remains under the control of al-Shabaab. Before the group gained control of the district in 2009, Barawe town was held by farac clan militias. According to interviews with key informants militias have committed atrocities on locals including rape and killings, forced marriage, political and economic domination, and illegal taxation. Although al-Shabaab managed to stabilize the district by suppressing clan conflicts, it has failed to provide essential social services including health, education, and clean water




4.Sablale District: Located in the south-east of Lower Shabelle Region, between 1991 and 2004, Sablale district was under control of farac clan militias. The district is currently under the control of al-Shabaab. Clan conflict in Sablale revolves around political control and clan domination, rape, illegally held and occupied private property, and forced marriages. Local conflict resolution mechanisms in the district are inactive. There is a need for local reconciliation, the return of the illegally and forcefully held private property including farmlands, and installation of a just administration headed by local inhabitants for lasting peace.





5.Qoryoley District: Qoryoley is an agricultural district with an estimated population of 134,205 persons according to 2005 UNDP statistics. The district is inhabited by the Madow (Somali Bantu), Jide (Rahanweyn), Hawiye sub-clans, Biyamal (Dir), and Garre (Digil/Rahanweyn) clans. Clan conflict in Qoryoley district has been a function of territorial control and expansion. Conflicts between Habar Gedir and Garre sub-clans and between Madow and Jide subclans were both resolved. Between 1991 and 1993, the district administration was under the control of farac clan militias during the UNOSOM period. Following UNOSOM’s departure the district was controlled by warlord, Yusuf Mohamed Siad (Indha Adde). Al-Shabaab gained control of the district in 2008.



6.Awdhegle District: Awdhegle district is located 58km west of Mogadishu. The district is home to Garre and Geledi (Rahanweyne) and Sheikhal (Hawiye) sub-clans. Awdhegle District is mostly inhabited by non-armed social groups. There is no reported traditional clan conflict in the district. There is a strong council of elders that effectively mediate conflicts as they arise. Earlier clan conflicts in the district were due to political domination by farac clan militias who established a local administration. A new administration, nominated by former TFG president, Abdullahi Yusuf was later ousted by al-Shabaab. It is anticipated that a local administration nominated by the SFG will receive local support.



7.Kurtunwaarey District: Kurtunwaarey District is home to various clans including Jide (Rahanweyn), Tunni (Rahanweyn), Biyamal (Dir), Madow (Somali Bantu), Leysan (Rahanweyn), and Hawiye sub-clans. After the collapse of the state in 1991, Kurtunwaarey District fell under the control of farac militias until al-Shabaab seized control. Former TFG president, Abdullahi Yusuf attempted to nominate a local administration which was highly contested. Clan conflicts, between Habar Gedir (Hawiye) and Garre (Digil/Rahanweyn) on one side and Jide (Rahanweyn) and Hawadle (Hawiye) on the other side, erupted over administrative control. There was also conflict over political control of Kurtunwaarey town between Jide sub-clans and al-Shabaab. Political and economic domination by farac clans have also provoked conflict in Kurtunwaarey District. There are traditional conflicts arising over competition for water and grazing lands, and disputes over clan boundaries. Conflict may reemerge when al-Shabaab are forced out of the district. There is no active council of elders that can facilitate negotiations and integration.





8.Wanlaweyn District: Wanlaweyn District is home to Somali clans including the Shanta Caleemo (Rahanweyn), Gaaljeel (Hawiye), Eyle (minority), Garre (Digil/Rahanweyn), and Madow (Somali Bantu). The district has not experienced incidences of intrusion by outside clan militias. Conflict between Shanta Caleemo and Gaaljeel clans in 1994 over water and pasture was resolved. Conflict between Gaaljeel and Abgal clans occurring between 1994 and 2011 over pasture and farming land has not been resolved and may reemerge. Prior to al-Shabaab takeover of the district, a local administration was nominated by former Transitional National Government (TNG) president, Abdiqasim Salad Hassan. A local administration, nominated by the Lower Shabelle governor to take over from alShabaab was rejected by the local population who were not consulted. Clan conflict in the district revolves around water, pasture, and political power sharing. Local reconciliation on power sharing is necessary before the next administration is established.

 

[Prince of Lasanod]

Isn't all the districts apart from merka majority digil in lower shabelle?

 

[Bohol]

@Prince of Lasanod Yes not only Merka but also Wanlaweyn district (Gaaljecel majority).


As you can see here every single district has various communities inhabiting it.

 

[xisaabiye]

According to this Hawiye is the common denominator

 

[Bohol]

According to this Hawiye is the common denominator

HG specially @Reign your folks are troublesome.

 

[Prince of Lasanod]

@Prince of Lasanod Yes not only Merka but also Wanlaweyn district (Gaaljecel majority).


As you can see here every single district has various communities inhabiting it.

View attachment 19874

Even in wanlaweyn, the largest clan are digil. The region was all ruled by digil after the ajuuran until the italians came(300+ years). Other than marka, the other clans are just minorities.

Before Somalia was formed, there was no clan wars etc in the region. Whereas in the north, the region was chaotic and clan wars was the normal life. The south was always more religious, settled, richer(more trade) and peaceful than the north historically speaking. If the problem was because it's more clan diverse, then what business does habar gidir have in lower shabelle even though they don't live there?

 

[Mudug-Madman]

@Inquisitive_ be like: It's the Bermuda triangle's fault.

 

[Somali psycho]

As you can see Bimal still rules Marka as they did for hundreds of years. Ceyr al shabab niggas should go back to Galgugaduud

 

[Starscream]

Biimaal shouldn't have let in usc
All the former usc pals from mj to ogaden to d&m got ass fucked by usc

 

[Abdalla]

Anxiously can't wait when and how they will interject Gaas into this mess.

 

[TekNiKo]

HG mooryaans encroaching on these lands is the main cause of conflict in the region. They even raped Cadcad girls to make their offspring lighter, very sad

Wa imtixaam wallahi, to my Cadcad people

 

[Reign]

HG specially @Reign your folks are troublesome.

I support this. HG should expand. In the end langaabs lose.

 

[Bohol]

I support this. HG should expand. In the end langaabs lose.

The Biyamaal are good fighters, as you can see the conflict has been active since 1993 (24 years). It is not easy to remove them.

 

[Reign]

HG mooryaans encroaching on these lands is the main cause of conflict in the region. They even raped Cadcad girls to make their offspring lighter, very sad

Wa imtixaam wallahi, to my Cadcad people

So moryans raping no more than a handful of cadcad women means a whole clan raping women to make their clan lighter? HG don't even live amongst cadcads in large numbers. I know you're butthurt because I said Xamar Hawiye leh.

Even cadcads will confirm this is a lie. Stop your isku dir tactics. Cadcads and Hawiyes have good relations, we are brothers.

 

[Jeesto]

Wait, there's a district called Wanlaweyn??? Wallah you learn something new everyday

 

[Reign]

The Biyamaal are good fighters, as you can see the conflict has been active since 1993 (24 years). It is not easy to remove them.

Lol I'm kidding, but I can't blame my folk for wanting to expand onto greener lands.

 

[Bohol]

Lol I'm kidding, but I can't blame my folk for wanting to expand onto greener lands.

True. Hot Mudug vs green fertile Lower Shabelle the land of bananas and papayas, no competition there.

 

[Reign]

True. Hot Mudug vs green fertile Lower Shabelle the land of bananas and papayas, no competition there.

Lol Somalis are expansionists after all.

If we didn't expand we would all be confined to nothern Somalia by now. I say any qabil who can expand should expand without violence, just move to a region and reproduce like rabbits.

Look at ilkoyars for example they expanded from boiling galgadud to green gedo.

 

[Odeg]

Lol I'm kidding, but I can't blame my folk for wanting to expand onto greener lands.

That land is owned already. Be happy with what you got cadaabta cadaado.